The cradle roll department

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NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES

3 3433 07994595 6

CraWe aSvoU
department

BY

ELIZABETH W. SUDLOW

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-^

tKfie Crable aaoU
©epartment

BY

ELIZABETH W. SUDLOW

1915

THE WESTMINSTER PRESS

PHILADELPHIA

.^o i_.liji.vAK (

I ASTOR, LENOX AND
1 TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
If? 1*^13

Copyright, 1915,
By F. M. Braselmann

*.^

ContentJi

PAGE

I. History 7

II. Organization 11

III. Congratulations 15

IV. Cradle Roll Assistants 18

V. Financing the Cradle Roll 25

VI. Securing New Members 28

VII. Advertising the Department 32

VIII. Records 34

IX. Wall Rolls 37

X. The Cradle 40

XI. Displaying the Baby's Picture 42

XII. Remembering Birthdays 44

XIII. Cradle Roll Welcome 48

XIV. The Cradle Roll Class or Nursery 51

XV. When the Death Angel Comes 56

XVI. Transferring a Cradle Roll Member 59

XVII. Promotion Day 61

XVIII. Cradle Roll Day 69

XIX. Special Days 75

XX. Christmas 77

XXI. Souvenirs for Special Seasons 80

XXII. Cradle Roll Parties 86

XXIII. The Cradle Roll and Missions 90

XXIV. The Pastor and the Cradle Roll 93

XXV. A Mothers' Auxiliary 95

Appendix 105

iforettjorb

The real purpose of the Cradle Roll is to secure co-
operation between the home, the Sunday school, and
the church in the training of the child during the first
years of its life ; to bring to the parents a sense of their
great responsibility toward the baby and its relation-
ship to God and his Church at a time when their hearts
are most tender, and to put upon the Church in a strong
way its responsibility in caring for even the smallest
of God's children. Through the Cradle Roll comes an
unusual opportunity for personal work on the part
of pastor and superintendent because of their easy
access to the home and heart of parents through baby.
This is particularly true where the family is not con-
nected with any church organization.

The lasting results in every branch of the work,
however, depend, first, upon the spiritual life of the
person in charge, and, second, upon the thoroughness
of the organization. The chapters in this volume deal
w^th methods whereby the Department, whether large
or small, may be helped.

The great, threefold principle underlying all this
work is to help the baby, the home, and the school.
The baby is helped by the love we show it, and the
strong influence of early church surroundings; the home
by the interest not only in baby, but in every other

5

6 Jforetoorb

member of the family; the school by enlisting the inter-
est of pupils of all ages in these little ones, and by in-
creasing its membership in every department.

No school is so small that it can afford to neglect
this work, and no school is so large that it has outgrown
the need of the babe "in the midst."

Jesus said, "Suffer the little children to come unto
me." How shall they come except they be brought?
And it is the privilege of the Cradle Roll superintendent
to invite them. Parents may be willing to allow their
names to be enrolled because of the beautiful wall roll
which is used, or because of the good times which are
provided at the little parties. It may be through some
special-day service that they have been brought into
the church, or because of the birthday card or little
holiday remembrance which baby has received. At
any rate, baby is a member of the school, and as the
result of its presence we find the parents and other
members of the family with a deepened interest in
things of a spiritual nature.

In 1877 an Infant Class teacher in a Baptist school
in Elizabeth, New Jersey, conceived the idea of gather-
ing the names of the wee brothers and sisters of the
little ones in her class and enrolling them in a birthday
book as an auxihary to the Foreign Missionary Society
of the church. About seven years later the organiza-
tion was known as the Cradle Roll. The work spread
from denomination to denomination, until in 1889
it was mentioned at the International Sunday- School
Convention held in Atlanta. Not much emphasis was
placed upon the importance of the work, except that
it was described as "one strand of a threefold cord to
bind the Sunday school to the home." The first official
Cradle Roll report given at an International Sunday-
School Convention was in Denver in 1902, when eleven
hundred and sixteen departments were reported, with
an unknown membership. Up to this time the Cradle
Roll was considered not much more than a fad, a pretty,
sentimental adjunct to the Primary Department. A
certificate of membership, on which the names were
inscribed, a birthday record book and some birthday
cards were about all the equipment necessary. To
procure the name of a baby, and to send the birthday
card, was the chief duty of the Cradle Roll superin-

7

8 tirt)^ Crable 3^oU Bepartment

tendent. Cradle Roll certificates of membership were
first used in the Tabernacle Presbyterian Sunday School
of Indianapolis, Indiana. This was in 1896.

Gradually the importance of the work, with its almost
unlimited possibilities for reaching others, was under-
stood, until now no well-organized school is considered
complete unless it has a real, live, working Depart-
ment. It is a very essential part of the Sunday-school
and church life. As the work became better known it
spread until, at the International Sunday-School
Convention held in Chicago in 1914, over a milHon
babies were reported as enrolled on 44,268 Cradle Rolls
of North America.

"Before this Brigade of sweet innocents,
Old Evil can never stand!"

Only babies! but how their influence has been felt in
the Sunday-school world! Because baby was enrolled
at birth, he attended school at an earlier age then
formerly. The Primar}^ teacher was troubled with the
problem of presenting a lesson which equally suited the
understanding and needs of a four- or five-year-old child
and those twice that age. Her task had not been easy
before this, with children of all ages up to ten or twelve
to care for. The attendance of these little tots made
it heavier, so Primary teachers asked for lessons suited
to the years and understanding of the younger children.
In 1902 the first recognized course of Beginners lessons
was used. These worked so well, and the Primary
teachers were able to accomplish their work so much

M^tOtp 9

more satisfactorily after the little ones were removed
to a class by themselves, that they asked to be relieved
of the older children/ to form a Junior Department.
Graded lessons have since been prepared for all these
departments, Beginners, Primary, and Junior, and also
for the teen years.

When baby was on the Cradle Roll the parents were
often aroused to feel their responsibility toward it and
their need of Bible study, and to become members of
the Home Department, thereby keeping in touch with
the school. When baby was old enough to enter the
Beginners Class, sometimes father or mother brought
him to Sunday school and became members of the
Bible classes. Many parents were in the school, but
a great many more ought to have been there. Since
the adult Bible class movement has been launched
hosts of parents have been gathered in, and the influence
of this banding together of Christian men and women
has been felt throughout the entire nation. Of course,
being identified with Sunday school means that the
men, and women, too, will be active in all forward
movements, and throw their united forces into the
fight for prohibition, clean government and everything
else that leads to a better civic life.

Naturally, as a part of the Sunday school, they are
interested in missions, and so the gospel is being carried
to the ''uttermost part" more rapidly because of baby's
having become a member of the Sunday school.

Sunday schools now demand trained teachers, but
even teachers trained to the highest point of efficiency

10 ^f)e Cratile ^oll department

accomplish but a small part of what they set out to do
unless the parents cooperate. Therefore community
training schools have developed where Sunday-school
teachers, pubUc-school teachers and parents unite in a
systematic study of the Book, the methods and the
child, and endeavor to make conditions more ideal for
bringing up the child in the w^ay he should go.

A part of the whole of this great structure is the baby.
Neglect the Cradle Roll and the effect will be felt
throughout every department of the school.

n

©rsani^ation

"Methods are many, principles are few;
Methods may vary, principles never do."

Of the multitude of organizations of which the Church
is composed to-day, there is none more important, more
deserving of the highest type of service, more far-reach-
ing in its influence, than the Cradle Roll. The methods
employed in carrying on the work are many, but very
elastic. They may be made to fit any school, large or
small, city or rural. The principles underlying the
work are the same everywhere, and never vary; first,
to surround the baby in the first impressionable years
of his life with Christian influences; second, to aid the
parents to a proper understanding of their great re-
sponsibility toward the child and toward the Church;
and third, to bring the Church to a fuller realization
of its mission toward the children in its midst.

Although the methods herein described may seem
appropriate only to the larger school, practically all are
capable of being adapted to suit the requirements of
the small school. Indeed, reports from schools all
over the country have shown that progressive work is
to be found in many smaller schools, and in the rural
districts Cradle Roll superintendents are doing most
excellent work.

11

12 ^fje Crable i^oll department

Large numbers do not always indicate a well-managed
Department. Much better a smaller number enrolled,
and these looked after personally, than a larger number
of names and the roll circularized. Quality, not
quantity, should be the aim of the superintendent.
Large numbers are desirable, and the Department may
be so organized as to care faithfully for any number,
but do not make the mistake of enrolling a baby just
for the sake of having one more name to report, and
then neglect the personal contact which is so essential
if the Department is to Hve up to its opportunity.

Cradle Roll Departments with but a single baby en-
rolled are not uncommon, and where the school is
located in a sparsely settled community and there is
only one baby to enroll, it speaks well for the enterprise
of those in charge to have a Cradle Roll for this one
baby. In the family life is the only child .provided for
less liberally than where there are several to share with
it? In the sight of the Father, is not the one baby of
as much importance as the many?

Cradle Roll Departments numbering from five hun-
dred to a thousand babies are scattered throughout
the country, and those numbering over a hundred are
very numerous. The same principles apply to these as
to the smaller organizations.

Cradle Roll ideals were presented during the Inter-
national Sunday-School Convention held in Chicago
in 1914, resulting later in the following suggestions,
which state the aim and mention the means of reaching
the aim.

C^rgani^ation 13

CRADLE ROLL AIM AND METHODS

That the church and Sunday school may cooperate
with parents in providing early religious influence
through the atmosphere and training of the home it is
desirable —

1. To organize a Cradle Roll Department for little
children from birth to three (sometimes four) years of
age—

(a) With a Cradle Roll superintendent and addi-
tional helpers as may be needed.

(b) By a public record of names and permanent
card index or book record, including baby's
name, address, birthday, age, parents' names,
promotions, and so forth.

(c) By a systematic effort to secure members and
prompt recognition of membership in the Sun-
day school.

(d) By registration of all removals and the cause.

(e) By public promotion not later than the fourth

birthday * to the Beginners Class or Depart-
ment.

(f) By a Cradle Roll class in the Beginners De-
partment if children attend before formal
promotion.

2. To manifest a living individual interest —

(a) By visiting the babies and their parents in the
homes.

* Cradle Roll membership ceases after the fourth birthday.
Even if Sunday-school attendance is impossible, transfer should
be made to the supervision of the Beginners superintendent or
teacher.

14 ^fje Crable 3^oU department

(b) By prompt recognition of birthdays.

(c) By suitable remembrance in case of sickness or
death.

(d) By a Cradle Roll Day annually.

(e) By a welcome to babies as visitors whenever

present.

(f) By invitations to babies and friends on special
days.

3. To promote sociability and help for parents —

(a) By an occasional social affair for parents and
babies.

(b) By mothers' meetings and literature pertain-
ing to baby's care and training.

(c) By parents' class in Sunday school.

Ill
Congratulations;

A little attention that is much appreciated by a new
mother, as well as by other members of the family, is
to offer congratulations when baby is born. This is
done in various ways. A few flowers may accompany
the application card, or they may be sent alone, fol-
lowed by a visit from the superintendent as soon as
the mother is able to see her. At this time she will
get baby's name for the roll. Or, if the name has
already been sent in to the superintendent, the visit
may be the occasion for delivering the certificate.

One superintendent who has been very successful in
enrolling every baby in the community upon her roll
has a regular ''follow-up" system. A little personal
note of congratulation is first sent to the parents,
followed by an invitation to join the Cradle Roll.
These are always written, and on note paper suited
in color to the little one — blue if the baby is a girl, and
pink when the baby is a boy.

"We have heard that a baby, all dainty and fair,
From the arms of the angels has come now to share
In your home; and we know that your joys will o'erflow
As you welcome this babe to his (her) home here below.
We would welcome him, too, we would share your delight,
On our white Cradle Roll this name we would write.
Won't you let us enroll him for Jesus to-day
And thus start his feet toward the Sunday-school way?"
15

16 ^fje Crable l^oU department

This invitation is followed by the application card,
then a personal call, and after baby's name is received,
by the certificate. By this time the parents appreciate
the fact that baby is really wanted in the Sunday school,
and are thoroughly interested in at least one depart-
ment of it.

A flower fund, toward which each mother contributes
a penny a month, may be used to purchase flowers for
the mother when a new baby arrives. The flowers
are sent, with a card of congratulation, in the name of
all the other mothers on the Cradle Roll.

Tiny note paper three inches square, edged in baby
blue, with envelope to match and about half the size,
is used by one superintendent. The words, ''With
sincere congratulations," are engraved, and the little
note when filled in reads:

Mr. and Mrs. Brown.

With Sincere Congratulations

to you from

Miss Kellogg,

Superintendent Cradle Roll,

First Presbyterian Sunday School

This note is followed later by a visit from the super-
intendent.

A pretty form of congratulation is a little homemade
booklet in which a poem on motherhood is copied, the
pages being illustrated with pictures of tiny baby faces.
The cover is decorated with a suitable baby picture.

On a little card may be pasted a poem suitable for the
occasion, many of which are to be found in the Cradle

Congratulations^ 17

Roll and mothers' magazines of the clay. This is dec-
orated along the edge with baby faces. The superin-
tendent writes a little message on the back.

A copy of some Madonna picture, which may be had
at very little cost, is another good gift for the new
mother.

One superintendent gives to each new mother a
Baby Record Book.

IV

Crable aRoll Si^^i^tmt^

The Cradle Roll needs so much personal attention
that the superintendent requires assistance in caring
for it. A secretary who takes care of the birthday cards
and sees that they are delivered on time, and who also
does certain parts of the clerical work, is a good assist-
ant. A school girl will take pride in keeping the records
clear and complete, in preparing birthday cards for
the superintendent to sign, and in sending out notices,
invitations and other things of this kind. Perhaps
an invalid with strength enough to take care of this
part of the work would be thankful for the opportunity
of serving in this way.

Where there is a Home Department connected with
the school, names of babies may be secured from the
visitors. Indeed, one set of visitors may be used for
both departments.

A visitor or assistant superintendent may be ap-
pointed whose duty it is to deliver the birthday cards.
The superintendent and helpers prepare them a month
in advance and give them to the assistant.

''Little Mothers," one of the most popular organiza-
tions of Cradle Roll helpers, is composed of girls from
the Primary or Junior departments. In some schools

18

Cratrle aaoll ^sfgisftantsi 19

the boys have asked for something to do, so they are
called ''Little Fathers." "Cradle Roll Brothers"
and "Cradle Roll Sisters" perform the same duties
as the "Little Mothers" and "Little Fathers," and so
do members of the "Cradle Roll Messenger Corps,"
which has been found efficient in so many schools.

Here is the experience of a superintendent who has
successfully used "Little Mothers": "As soon as a new
baby is heard of or is enrolled I appoint a girl from
the Junior Department as its 'Cradle Roll Mother/
She continues to act in this capacity until baby is old
enough to enter the Beginners Class. She is often the
person who brings him to Sunday school until he is
old enough to come by himself, and to any special
Cradle Roll service or party if the mother is unable to
attend. Or she accompanies the real mother, sharing
with her the honors of the day, as well as the care of
baby. This 'Little Mother' acts as messenger between
baby and me, delivering messages, birthday cards,
Cradle Roll paper and invitations to all Cradle Roll
events. This reduces the expense for postage. Some-
times there are not 'Little Mothers' enough to go
around, and then I call on the older girls of the Primary
Department. When it happens, as it has on several
occasions, that there is still a shortage, I give the new
baby, if it is very young, to a 'Little Mother' whose
charge will soon be graduating. The girls are most
enthusiastic over their part in the Cradle Roll work;
it is something they can do, and is helping to fit them
to take their places in the church later on."

20 tlTfje Crable l^oH department

Some of the ways in which these Uttle assistants may
help:

Every month they deliver a Cradle Roll paper to the mothers.

They deliver all invitations to parents and babies.

They notify the superintendent if baby is sick.

They often bring an older baby to Sunday school on its birth-
day, or else bring the birthday offering.

They meet on week days and make all sorts of pretty little
things for the babies, valentines, Christmas cards, May baskets,
Easter cards and such souvenirs.

Many pray for their babies every day.

Pretty certificates stating: " is Cradle Roll

mother to Baby " may be had from the publishing

houses, or the superintendent may make them.

A ''Cradle Roll Band" is an organization of girls
chosen from the Junior Department, and the work
is much the same as that of the ''Little Mothers."
One superintendent sent the Band out on a "Baby
Hunt," and so successful were the girls in rounding
up the stray babies that within a few weeks they had
doubled the membership. A business meeting of the
Band is held once a month, at which time the girls tell
all about the babies whom they have visited. Each
girl delivers the Cradle Roll papers to her group, so
every home is visited at least once a month.

Some superintendents employ only boys as assist-
ants. They are organized as a "Cradle Roll Messenger
Corps. " The members, chosen from the Intermediate
Department, cheerfully perform any duty to which
they are assigned. The boys report to the superin-
tendent at the close of Sunday school each week.

Crable laoll ^s^gisitantg 21

Often superintendents, when looking for some one to
help with the detail work, overlook the most enthusi-
astic and faithful of assistants, girls from the Inter-
mediate Department. They work well under the
direction of an older person, and do much that is done
by the younger children; help to arrange programs for
special services, plan unique parties, take charge of the
decorations, and even care for the babies during the
hour of morning worship so that the mothers may
attend the service. And when it comes to making
gifts and souvenirs for baby, no one can turn out
nicer-looking trifles than these girls.

If no superintendent can be found for the Cradle
Roll, a girls' class may assume full responsibility.
One girl will act as superintendent, one as enrollment
secretary, another as birthday secretary, and each of
the others will have some definite duty to perform.

In a graded school, a superintendent found in each
department one person who would act as '' Cradle Roll
Agent." These agents are supplied with notebooks,
and in them they record information concerning baby.
The books are inspected regularly.

Another class of helpers, taken from among the adults,
is Division Superintendents, or Visitors. When a
Cradle Roll numbers more than twenty, more than
one person is needed to do the visiting. One method
is to have three assistants ; one each for the one-, two-,
and three-year-old babies. The superintendent has
general oversight of the whole Department, looks after
the records, and with helpers prepares birthday cards

22 tlTije Crable laoU department

and such things, but the actual visiting will be done
by the Division Superintendents. It would be an
advantage if the teacher of the Beginners Class were
secured as visitor for the three-year-olds, as an ac-
quaintance with her future pupils could thus be made
in the home.

Another plan calls for four assistants. One quarter
of the year is assigned to each. The four work together
at all times, but each quarter the chairman is changed,
thus distributing the responsibility. The superin-
tendent is in charge of the clerical work, and oversees
the whole. Birthday cards, as far as possible, are made
out a quarter in advance, and given to the proper chair-
man. She, in turn, assigns to the other three helpers
some of these cards for delivery. Whenever possible
the superintendent accompanies the assistant when a
certificate is to be delivered, so that she may become
acquainted with the new baby and mother. Every
quarter something of a social nature is given, the chair-
man for that quarter being hostess.

The superintendent may enlist the aid of a number of
ladies, each of whom agrees to visit five babies during
the month. Return post cards are helpful in this work.
One side may read.

Will you please call on the following babies

during the month of and report on attached

card before . Please add any information

concerning these families you deem advisable for
me or the pastor to know.

The reverse side may read,

Crable iaoU ^^^i^tant^ 23

As requested, I have called on these babies.

Date of call

Remarks:

Signed-

The names and addresses are filled in by the superin-
tendent before mailing the card to the visitors.

Other plans are to appoint six, ten, twelve or as many
assistants as may be necessary to cover the territory
occupied by the church members. This is divided into
districts, and a visitor put in charge of each. These
visitors do the same kind of work as the ''Little
Mothers," only on a larger scale. All invitations,
papers, birthday cards and such things are delivered
personally, and the visitor becomes quite well ac-
quainted with mothers and babies in the course of a
year. Babies living near together are grouped so as to
make the work easy. Sometimes only ten babies are
given to a visitor; when new names are added to the
roll, new visitors are appointed to look after them.
A business meeting is held once a month at the home of
the superintendent or of one of the visitors. As this
is a business meeting, it should be businesslike and
opened on time. Open with devotions: a Scripture
reading and prayer by the superintendent or one of the
visitors, closing with the little Cradle Roll prayer in
which all join. Ask each visitor for a report. If this
is written, better work is apt to be done than where no

24 tlTbe Crable 3^oU department

definite statement of what has been accompHshed is
expected. From these reports the superintendent
compiles a complete report for the school. A good re-
port covers the following items:

How many babies have you in your division?

How many of these babies have you called on?

How many mothers in your division?

How many of these mothers are Christians?

How many are members of our church?

How many are members of no church?

How many calls have you made this month?

How many new names have you secured?

How many famihes interested?

How many lost by death?

How many transferred to another division?

How many moved from the city?

Total number of babies now in your division?

How many birthday cards delivered?

How many certificates of membership delivered?

How much money received this month?

What are your expenses for the month?

Jf inancmg tfje Crable i^oll

There are certain expenses that must necessarily
be incurred by a Cradle Roll Department. How shall
these be met? Wherever possible all bills should go
through the hands of the treasurer of the school. The
superintendent may then make a contribution to the
general Sunday-school fund large enough to cover these,
or as large as she cares to. Thus the cost of the Cradle
Roll is on record.

Another way to secure funds is to give the parents an
opportunity to contribute. It is possible for the
Cradle Roll Department to be too dependent, and some
parents object to this. The Cradle Roll work will have
greater dignit}^ if it is, in part at least, self-sustaining.
By presenting to the parents a plan of systematic offer-
ings, their cooperation will undoubtedly be secured.
Regular offering envelopes are to be had in several de-
signs.

Small cradle-shaped banks are sometimes used to
hold the offerings. These are opened once a year or
oftener. An annual party to which the babies are
invited to bring their banks is a good time to open
them.

But even where systematic contributions are made,
25

26 K\}t Crable 3^011 department

the expense of the Department may exceed these, so
other ways of raismg funds must be employed.

Cradle Roll work is usually popular with the Ladies'
Aid Society. A part of the regular work meetings may
be devoted to sewing for children under three years of
age, and the clothing sold to the mothers at reasonable
figures, the profit being credited to the Cradle Roll.

The mothers themselves at their monthly meetings
may sew quilt blocks or carpet rags to be woven into
rugs. The sale of these will bring in a nice sum for the
treasury.

One superintendent invited the mothers to make a
freewill offering toward the expense of the Depart-
ment. Several times during the year a Cradle Roll
party is given. At the bottom of the invitation is this
note: ''An opportunity will be given during the after-
noon to contribute toward our Cradle Roll if you so
wish." At the close of the program the superintendent
calls attention to a little cradle-shaped bank standing
on a table, stating that any who so desire may make an
offering for the work. It has been the experience of
this superintendent that the mothers feel better about
accepting the privileges of the Cradle Roll for their
children when they can help to defray the expense of
the work.

Still another way is to take a special Cradle Roll
offering at one of the church services, say on Cradle
Roll Sunday.

The use of mite boxes is common, one being given to
baby at the time of enrollment. The Cradle Roll may

Jfinancing tfje Crable 3^oU 27

have a special missionary object of its own to which
these offerings are sent, or may join with the other
departments in some wgrk. In such a case, it should
be made plain to the parents that the money is not to be
used for the work of the Department, but is missionary
money.

VI

g>ecurmg J^eto 0itmbtt^

One way for the newly appointed superintendent to
secure new members is to get from the pastor a Ust of
the babies of the church famihes. Select as many
helpers as you think will be sufficient, and invite them
to meet at your home or some other convenient place.
Present your Cradle Roll plans as clearly as possible.
Try to put some of your own enthusiasm into these
helpers. Then ask for volunteers to visit the mothers.
Set a definite time in which this work is to be done, and
arrange for a pubhc service when these new members
will be welcomed into the membership of the school.
Provide plenty of application cards for the visitors.
After canvassing, let the visitors meet again and hand
in their reports. It is well, on the Sunday before the
canvass is made, to have the pastor explain publicly
from tlie pulpit the meaning of the work, and urge the
parents to enroll the little ones.

The superintendent may prefer to go before the
school, telling of the proposed Department, and asking
help from all, big and little, in securing names of babies
in the neighborhood.

Still another method is to provide each teacher with
application cards, to secure from their pupils the names

28

Securing iBteto Mtmhtv^ 29

of the baby brothers and sisters. The superintendent,
when the cards are returned to her, visits each child.

When the Cradle RoH is organized, many are the
plans whereby the membership may be increased.
More can be accomplished if a definite number is the
aim. A membership campaign to last for a definite
period is one way of reaching every baby in a com-
munity. Set an aim for the school, such as to double
the enrollment of the Cradle Roll within a given time.
Enthusiasm is aroused throughout the different depart-
ments, and when frequent reports are given as to the
way in which the membership is growing, interest is
maintained until the close.

It is always easy to interest the Primary and Junior
children in the Cradle Roll. A contest may be carried
on between the boys and girls of a department, or be-
tween two departments. Let each side choose a cap-
tain, to add dignity and importance to the contest.
Let each side wear a button or knot of ribbon through-
out the contest. On a long sheet of paper, ruled down
the center, place the names of everyone bringing a
name for the Cradle Roll. At the close the superin-
tendent might give some little entertainment for the
winners, or for both sides, if they have worked well,
and have the winners '' guests of honor."

Once a quarter, or once a year, in every department
of the school, Cradle Roll work may be emphasized,
and for a week, or a month, everyone in the whole
school work for that Department.

A successful plan used by a superintendent in a

30 Cfje Crable 3^oU department

church where many strangers attended was to have a
rubber stamp which read,

"Welcome! We are glad to have you here to-day.
If there is a BABY in your home will you not sign
this card and hand it to the usher or leave it in the
rack?

Cradle Roll Superintendent.

Several hundred enrollment cards were stamped with
this message and given to the ushers, with instructions
to hand them to all strangers. Many names were
secured in this w^ay, and strangers were made to feel
that the church had an interest in them, for all signed
cards were first given the pastor, so that he might know
about the family.

Many Cradle Roll Departments depend almost
entirely upon the children of the Beginners and Primary
departments to bring in new names. The Cradle Roll
superintendent is present on Sunday during the open-
ing service and a few minutes are devoted to the Cradle
Roll, at which time names are handed in.

Often the Cradle Roll and Home Department super-
intendents work together. The one can furnish names
of eligible members for the Cradle Roll, while the other
may be able to interest the parents in the Home De-
partment.

But what about localities where there are no babies?
There may be only one or two under three years of
age in a whole church community. In this event, go
after one in some distant mission school and enroll it.
Remember the birthday, and other special occasions.

Securing i^eto JHemberg 31

and see if the babies already on the roll cannot be inter-
ested, through their parents, to contribute toward its
support. A Uttle Indian, or African, or Chinese or-
phan on your Cradle Roll makes an interesting member.

In a graded school where many of the departments
meet alone for the entire service, the Cradle Roll
superintendent may arrange with the other superin-
tendents for a few minutes of either the opening or clos-
ing sessions. At this time she will display the cradle,
and give a brief report of the membership and condition
of the Department, and ask for new names.

Whatever method may be employed it is well to bear
in mind that a personal visit by the superintendent
or assistant as soon as possible after the name has been
handed in is essential. Personal visitation is what
counts. And often when visiting the babies the super-
intendent has opportunity to invite other members of
the family to attend some department of the school.
Perhaps the names of all over Cradle Roll age might
be taken, if the family is not one connected with the
church, and this list given to the enrollment secretary
of the school, or to the superintendents of such depart-
ments as the children properly belong to — they in turn
looking them up and adding an invitation to that al-
ready extended by the Cradle Roll superintendent.

vn

abbertisiing tfje department

A good way for the superintendent to advertise this
Department is by attending all teachers' meetings and
workers' conferences, and cooperating with the school
in every way possible. She should know what is going
on in the school, some of the difficulties under which
the teachers are laboring, and what new plans are
under consideration. Thus, when visiting in the
homes, she can speak more intelligently upon general
conditions. Then, too, the officers and teachers should
know about her Department, what has been done in
the past, what she hopes to bring to pass in the future,
and in what ways she needs their help. She should be
prepared to give a definite and businesslike report.
When the superintendent takes enough interest in the
school of which her Cradle Roll is a part to do this, then
is she well advertising the Department.

An occasional item in the church bulletin is a good way
of keeping the Cradle Roll before the church members.
This may be only a quotation bearing on the value of
the child, or a statistical report of membership, re-
movals, new members, calls made, parties held, or any-
thing else of interest. One church prints the pictures
of all the members on a cover once a year. Another
gives the names, addresses and birthday of each baby.

32

^tJbertiging tfje department 33

Others print a picture of the Cradle Roll on the cover,
give information as to the purpose and plan of the work,
with names of superintendents and assistants, and ask
that new names be handed to them.

The church bulletin board is another place where
Cradle Roll news may be displayed and the Depart-
ment well advertised. A report of the Department,
together with names and pictures of such of the babies
as will have birthdays during the coming week, always
attracts attention.

Prepare a report at least quarterly for the school
secretary to incorporate with that of the school.

Flower seeds may be given out at Easter time, with
the request that the recipient cultivate a Cradle Roll
flower bed, the flowers to be used to decorate the
church on some special Sunday.

Cradle Roll pennants and mottoes displayed in the
Sunday-school auditorium help to keep the Depart-
ment in mind, and so do wall rolls. These may be
made in any number of attractive styles. Pictures of
the babies prominently displayed in church auditoriums,
vestibules or schoolrooms are one of the very best
mediums of advertising. Sometimes these are arranged
in one or more large frames. Often a frieze of them is
found on the wall of the vestibule, where anyone enter-
ing the church must see them.

Frequent parties help to keep the Cradle Roll before
the parents and friends, and a procession of gocarts
and baby carriages all moving in one direction on a
certain day will advertise the Department.

3

vm

3Recorb2(

Cradle Roll Department records will make valuable
history in the years to come, and should be as complete
as possible.

A complete record should be kept of every baby from
the date of enrollment to the time of transfer or pro-
motion. This should give date of birth, age at time of
enrollment, parents' names, address, telephone number,
whether parents are members of church or not, and
date of enrollment and transfer. In addition, a record
of all remembrances sent baby should be kept, in order
that no duplicates shall be given. Baby's attendance
at Sunday school, Cradle Roll parties, special services
and other occasions may be recorded, and when baby
is promoted to the Beginners Class a little statement
showing his record for attendance at all these services
may^be given with his certificate.

Some superintendents use a blank book in which to
record the names and birthdays, using a page for each
month. Another method is to use two books, one
arranged alphabetically for the name, address, and
other information, and a birthday book by which to
keep track of the birthdays. Where the record book
is used, it is well to give at least a page to each baby,

34

H^ecorbsf 35

and to note such information concerning baby and
family as may be of assistance in helping the super-
intendent to reach them. This is really a baby history
book, and is used by some superintendents even where
other records are kept.

Perhaps the best and most practical of all record-keep-
ing systems for use in the Cradle Roll Department is
the card index. The outfit consists of a box and a
quantity of individual record cards, also a set of monthly
guide cards. The cards are so arranged that all the
necessary information may be written in blank spaces,
while the date of birth is given on the top line. The
cards are filed behind the monthly guide card, and it is
a very simple matter each week or month for the super-
intendent to remove the cards and prepare her birth-
day remembrances. Another advantage in using a
card index is that all cards of children not on the active
roll may be removed and filed in a separate division,
thus keeping the record up to date.

The business end of the Department requires some
attention. The money used for supplies, and the
supplies which the money represents, belongs to the
school and should be accounted for.

Once a quarter the superintendent should prepare
for the secretary of the school a report of the work
done in the Cradle Roll Department. This will be
read publicly. Printed blanks to use for this purpose
may be obtained from the supply houses, or each school
may prefer to use a form of its own. A blank used in
a large school gives the following information :

36 ^fje Crable d^oW l^epartment

1. Total number enrolled at beginning of last month.

2. Number entering school during past month.

3. Number dropped from roll during past month — also reason.

4. Number new members enrolled during past month.

5. Number of visits made during past month.

6. Number of members and parents visiting school during past

month.

7. Number having birthdays, and number paying birthday

offering.

These reports form a part of the permanent records
of the school.

EX

Mall aaolte

A wall roll of the babies should be displayed in the
Beginners room, so that it may be readily examined by
anyone. Give it a place of its own, where it may be
seen from any part of the room.

In some schools it is customary to remove from the
roll the names of those who are no longer members.
Again, the names are left on and removal is marked by
a symbol of some sort. Gummed stickers may be pur-
chased for this purpose. A tiny pink rosebud placed
opposite the name means that the child has graduated
into the Beginners Class. A little train shows that
baby has left the community, and a white angel indi-
cates that baby has gone above. Colored stars are
also used for the same purpose. A little flag may
indicate promotion; a tiny bow of white ribbon that
baby has died, and a star shows that baby has moved
away.

Wall rolls in twelve parts, each showing a special
design appropriate for one month of the year, or twelve
small cards mounted on a large card, are good. The
name and birthday of each baby may be written under-
neath its birth month, or the babies may be listed by
the day of birth on seven sheets of cardboard, each
having printed across the top one line of the old poem :

37

38 ^fje Ctable i^oH department

"The child that is bom on the Sabbath Day-
Is bhthe and bonny and good and gay.
Monday's child is fair of face,
Tuesday's child is full of grace,
Wednesday's child need fear no foe,
Thursdaj^'s child has far to go.
Friday's child is loving and giving,
Saturday's child must work for its living."

Heart-shaped rolls are always popular. Twelve
hearts may be outlined on a sheet of cardboard, the
edges tinted with water colors, and the name of a month
printed on each; or small hearts, each bearing the
name of a baby, may be suspended by ribbons from a
brass curtain rod fastened to the wall of the schoolroom.
Another good heart idea, capable of development in a
number of ways, shows a large heart with a border of
baby faces, either pictures cut from magazines or
amateur ''snaps" of the Cradle Roll members. The
names are written on the face of the heart, or on smaller
hearts suspended from it.

Still another "heart roll" shows four hearts outlined
in green on a large sheet of white cardboard. The
hearts join in the center, thus making a pretty good
four-leaf clover. In the upper heart is a group of baby
faces and the words "Cradle Roll." "They were
bringing unto hini also their babes." Luke 18:15.
The other three hearts are decorated with baby pictures.
One contains the names of the babies under a year;
another those of the two-year-olds, and the third has
the little three-jx^ar-olds. The names are written on
slips of gummed paper, and arc easily transferred from
one section to another.

Mall atolls; 39

A more elaborate roll is a double heart, made of
wood, the two parts being hinged together, the upper
cut down the center so that it may swing open like a
pair of doors. The inside heart is covered with small
paper or cardboard hearts, of two sizes, strung on rib-
bons. On the larger of these is pasted a picture of a
baby, with name and date written underneath, and
on the smaller hearts are shown the name and date
only. The outside heart is decorated with a spray of
flowers, and the two doors are fastened with a little
brass catch. When a new name is to be entered, the
doors are opened and the children recite,

"We welcome you with open heart,
Because we love you so;
See how the doors will swing apart
And in your name will go."

The heart stands on an easel, and when needed for
a public service can very easily be carried from one
place to another. This same idea has been copied in
a much cheaper form by using cardboard hearts and
fastening with ribbons, and although not so durable
as the wooden roll, it is very pretty.

A style quite common is to mount a copy of some good
painting of Christ and little children in the center of a
sheet of cardboard, and suspend by ribbons from the
lower edge small name cards of any desired shape.
Sometimes a border of baby faces is made around the
center picture. Or, instead of the big picture, a blank
space is left in which the names are written. The words
''Our Cradle Roll" may be printed across the top.

X

Wi)t Crable

The styles and kinds of cradles are about as numerous
and varied as are the wall rolls. Although the cradle
ought not to supplant the wall roll, it may be used as a
supplement to it. Name cards may be tied to the sides.
These cards may be secured from pubhshers of Sunday-
school supphes in blue and pink cardboard, with hole
ready punched in one end, through which a ribbon may
be run. Or little white cards are suitable, these to be
tied with white, pink, or blue ribbons.

The most common style is a white enameled wooden
cradle, the tops of the corner posts finished in gilt,
about eighteen inches long by ten inches wide, and
eleven inches high. A fancy mattress and pillow are
all the furnishings necessary. Sometimes the name of
the school and Department are embroidered on the
pillow or mattress.

A homemade wooden cradle may be the work of a
boy who wants to be useful. Little rockers are some-
times added to a grape basket, and the cradle trimmed
in a pretty manner.

"Lullaby Cradles" large enough to hold a baby are
growing in popularity. With them the pretty ''rock-
ing service" used when a new baby is entered is carried
out. Ribbons are fastened to the four corners, and

40

^\}t Crable 41

when in use during a service four children hold the
ribbons and gently sway the cradle as the welcome song
is sung.

In some schools the only cradle used is a cradle-
shaped bank. This is to hold the birthday offering of
the babies.

As the cradle is the emblem of the Department, care
must be taken of it, so that it be kept fresh and dainty.
The ribbons and furnishings have to be renewed oc-
casionally and everything freshened up. In the room
where the Cradle Roll exercises are held a table should
be provided for the cradle, and this covered with a
pretty cloth, either matching in color the hning of the
cradle or else pure white. A box in which to keep the
cradle between Sundays is also necessary.

XI

Bis^plaping tfje JBafip's; picture

A plan which is growing in popularity is to display
photographs of the babies. Many parents will be
glad to give a picture, or the visitor may take her
camera along and get a snap of baby. Often a photog-
rapher will take a picture of baby for the Cradle Roll
display free of charge; or he may make special rates
on baby pictures, one copy to be furnished free to the
superintendent. Again, he may agree to supply a
certain kind of picture to all babies so that there will
be uniformity in the photographs.

One good picture display shows the photographs
mounted on a large card, grouped around a beautiful
print of Christ and little children. Underneath, in
fine lettering, is the text, ''He will gather the lambs in
his arm, and carry them in his bosom." Across the
top are the words, "It is not the will of your Father
who is in heaven, that one of these httle ones should
perish."

A group picture of the babies may be taken once a
year at a party, or a picture of the graduates only.
These may be framed and hung on the wall of the
schoolroom.

A pretty display in a Beginners room shows a mold-
ing running entirely around the room, about four feet

42

Bisfplapms tije J$ahf& ^Picture 43

from the floor. From this are hung pictures, and the
Hke, pertaining to the work of the Department. Above
the molding is a border of roses— just wall paper hav-
ing a pretty rose design in dehcate shades of pink.
In the center of each rose is pasted the picture of a
baby on the Cradle Roll, with name and age written
beside it.

An ordinary hoop, covered with a tightly stretched
piece of black sateen, makes a very good background
for displaying pictures, and so does a discarded banner,
when covered with some pretty material.

xn

3Rememljermg Jiirtfjtrapjf

The attention shown the baby at special seasons,
such as Christmas and Easter, will be appreciated by
the child's parents, but when baby is given a letter or
card on the birthday, the Cradle Roll has indeed won a
place in their hearts.

There are on the market a number of birthday cards
for the Cradle Roll Department, and these usually run
in a series for one-, two-, and three-year-old children.
Whatever style you select, let it be the best you can
afford. Notice the sentiment on each, and get some-
thing that is appropriate.

It is not the value of the card which makes some
more precious than others, but the personal message
which the superintendent adds. If, instead of circu-
larizing the Cradle Roll by simply sending a printed
card, no matter how pretty, the superintendent adds
a Uttle message, it will Hft the card out of the everyday
into the special, individual class. The pastor may
sign the card, in addition to the superintendent, and
also add a message. Where the cards are to be
deUvered by messenger, one, two, or three little gilt
or colored stars may be placed, instead of a stamp, in
the corner of the envelope, to designate the number of
years; or tie a flower to the card.

44

^Remembering Pittfjbapsi 45

A birthda}^ record of some sort is necessary. A
plain blank book may be used, giving one or more
pages to each month, baby's name and birthday being
entered under the proper heading. Record books
may be purchased from any of the supply houses ready
ruled. A card index is good. These also may be had
in several styles. Great harm may be done through
overlooking the birthdays. Be very careful to have
every card delivered on time. One received several
days late is hke a warmed-over dinner: it has lost its
savor. The safe and sure way to avoid such an oc-
currence is to prepare the cards a week or a month in
advance. On a calendar mark the day on which they
are to be sent.

Instead of stamping the card so long in advance of
mailing, some superintendents prefer to prepare them
on the first day of the month, and in the stamp corner
write the date of the birthday. These are arranged
according to the dates, and the day before the birthday
the stamp is affixed and the card mailed.

A nttle rebus or form letter, which is varied slightly
to suit the individual child, may be used. This is
written on dainty note paper, decorated with tiny baby
faces. For the first birthday one wee head is used;
for the second, two of a slightly older child, and for
the third, three pictures of a child of about that age.
The envelope is sealed with one or more pictures to
correspond with those used on the letter.

Some superintendents prefer to make their own birth-
day cards. A card decorated with a cut-out picture

46 tE\}t Crable 3^0X1 department

appropriate to the birth month, and underneath a
birthday wish, is good.

A pleasing custom is to give to each baby, with its
card, a tiny potted plant. These maj^ be purchased
from a florist, but some superintendents prefer to raise
their own. A geranium is a good gift for a winter
baby, and a pansy for the summer baby.

A pretty way of celebrating the birthday, where the
superintendent is able to do so, is to take mother and
baby for a drive. The drive may be made in a carriage
or in an automobile.

Baby should always be invited to attend Sunday
school on the Sunday nearest its birthday, when the
birthday song is sung in its honor and the birthday
prayer offered.

A service used when baby is not present, but is rep-
resented by a ''Little Helper" — whether it be of a
Little Mother, Father, Sister, or Brother, according
to the name by which this Band is known — is for this
'' Little Helper " to drop into the birthday bank the cor-
rect number of pennies, and then, at a chord from the
piano, all the other children rise and sing a verse of a
birthday song. While the heads are bowed the children
repeat —

"We thank thee, heavenly Father,

For all thy loving care
That thou hast given Mary

At home, and everywhere.
For years thou hast guarded her

At home, asleep, at play,
Oh, Father, bless and care for her

On this, and every day."

l^emembering J^ixtf)tiap^ 47

Then the superintendent asks, ''What shall we say-
to Baby Mary?" The children reply, ''We hope she
will have many happy birthdays."

Not infrequently superintendents give birthday
parties to the little ones — perhaps these may be held
once a month for all the babies born in that month;
sometimes once a quarter is as often as the little ones
can be brought together. An annual birthday party
to which all the babies come is another way. Twelve
ladies assist the superintendent, each providing a tiny
souvenir, some refreshments, and a number for the
program appropriate to their month. As the babies
arrive they are escorted to their proper place, where
they meet all the other babies born in the same month.
Or, instead of having twelve groups, it may be called
a Day Party, and the babies grouped according to the
day of their birth.

A birthday secretary may be of great assistance to
the superintendent. She will keep track of all the
birthdays, the kind of remembrances sent, and prepare
all cards for the superintendent to sign. Before the
third birthday she will notify the superintendent, so
that a personal note of invitation to join the Beginners
Class may be sent, or a call made upon baby.

XIII

Crable JRoU ilelcome

When a new member is entered on the Cradle Roll
the event should be marked by some public recognition.
This recognition, or enrollment service, usually takes
place in the Beginners or Primary room, and may con-
sist of four parts: song, welcome, charge to older chil-
dren to care for this new baby, and prayer. If the
Cradle Roll superintendent is present each Sunday, she
will conduct this part of the service. In her absence
the regular Department superintendent will do it.
The child who has brought the enrollment card brings
it forward, or, where the names are secured in other
ways, the superintendent announces that a baby is to
be welcomed. Sometimes the name is read, the chil-
dren repeating it several times so that they may be-
come familiar with it. Then they stand and sing:

"There are blessings from God all about us;
' We should thank him for gifts large and small,
But his gift of a dear little baby,
Needs the very best thank you of all.
Bye-lo, bye-lo, bye-lo, bye-lo-bye."

— From " Carols," published by the Leyda Publishing Company,
Chicago.

The familiar welcome song of Julia Johnston is popu-
lar, and is sung to the tune '' Little Drops of Water."
This follows the lullaby:

48

Crable a^oll Welcome 49

"Welcome, precious baby,

To our Cradle Roll;

Here a place is waiting

For each tiny soul.

"On the earth our Saviour
Little children blessed;
In his arms he took them —
Held them to his breast.

"Still he calls them to him,
No one is too small,
For the tender Shepherd
Loves and wants us all."

When the baby is a boy, then to the boys is given the
charge to care for it, and they repeat in concert this
Uttle prayer;

"Heavenly Father, bless this baby,

Guide his tender little feet;

May w^e older boys all help him

To grow gentle, kind and sweet. Amen."

If the baby is a girl, then the girls are charged with
its care, and the pronouns changed.

At the close a prayer is offered for this new baby and
all the others on the Cradle Roll:

"Bless all our Cradle Babies,

Wherever they may be;
Although in homes so scattered,

Thou everyone dost see.
We love them, and thou lovest them,

Oh, may they grow to be
A band of little Christians,

Obedient, Lord, to thee. Amen."

Frequently the Httle cradle is used in connection
with the enrollment service. Sometimes a small

50 ^fje Crable ^^oU department

cradle to be used for just this purpose is provided, and
then it is trimmed with bows of pink ribbon. The
card bearing the name of the new member is placed in
the cradle, and the children say,

"Little cradle, do you think,
With your pretty bows of pink
You can faithful be, and true,
To this name we trust to you?

"As we place it gently there
We wdll breathe a loving prayer,
That this little baby face
In our school may find a place."

This is instead of the charge to the boys or girls. Where
there is room the children may gather around the cradle,
and at the second verse kneel and offer it as a prayer.

A very simple service is to place the name card in
the cradle while the children sing a song and repeat a
little Cradle Roll prayer.

A welcome service in which the baby is placed in the
cradle is good. While the welcome is sung and prayer
offered, the cradle is gently swung back and forth by
four little ones who hold ribbons fastened to the corners.

When no new name is added to the roll, the fellow-
ship service should each Sunday include some reference
to the Cradle Roll. This keeps the Department before
the children. Sometimes a lullaby is sung and a prayer
offered.

When a baby is to be welcomed, the parents and
friends are invited to be present during the service,
and where baby is brought, a little card, flower or other
souvenir is given it.

XIV

Wbt Crable 3RoU Clasps; or Mm^txp

In some schools a room is provided where the Cradle
Roll can assemble, just as the other departments
assemble. On the wall are displayed the roll and pictures
of the babies, Cradle Roll pennants and banners, or
mottoes. A bright sunny room is preferable. The
room should be well ventilated and easy to heat in cold
weather. A low table of some kind and tiny chairs
are almost a necessity. A shallow sand tray around
which a number can sit is very good, or the regular
kindergarten table may be used. Blackboard cloth
will easily convert a homemade table into a blackboard,
and the little ones enjoy sitting or kneeling around this
and marking on it with crayon. Clean, light-colored
rag rugs are useful to spread in front of the table for
the little ones to kneel on.

A Cradle Roll classroom is intended as a place where
the little ones may really be instructed as well as
amused. The teacher, who may be the superintendent,
or one of the mothers, will tell a story of God's love
and care in the simplest language. To those who are
unfamiliar with the workings of the mind of a child
under three years of age it may seem useless to try to
teach them anything. But they remember the nursery
rhymes and simple stories which are told them in the

51

52 ^\)t Crable laoU department

home, and can absorb a Bible story also — more perhaps
than we realize. A verse of one or two simple songs,
such as "God is Love" and "Jesus loves me," may be
sung each Sunday, and repeated several times during a
single session. Do not try to introduce too many songs;
few of the little ones can carry a tune, and it is better
for them to have one or two songs which will always be
associated with this class than a number of which they
know only a few words.

Toys of various kinds have a place: blocks, pictures
and wooden animals which may be used to illustrate
the stories are suitable, and it is well to select each with
a view to using it for such a purpose.

A large room in which the mothers meet in one end
while the little folks are in the other, a screen or cur-
tain separating the two classes, is a good arrangement.
The mothers have their own lesson, and their minds are
easy because they know the little ones are close by;
and for the same reason the little ones are more con-
tented to remain at their table, knowing that mother
is very near.

The little ones may meet with the Beginners for the
opening service, and then retire behind a screen or
curtain in a corner of the room for their story. The
leaves of the screen on the side nearest the Cradle
Roll class may be covered with bright pictures, covers
taken from magazines or the lesson pictures used in
other departments.

Another plan, where there is no separate room, is
for the mothers to meet in the Beginners room for the

Wi)t Crable l^oll €laii or i^ursferp 53

opening service, but taking no part in any of the exer-
cises. By watching the teachers they learn the songs
and exercises, and are able to go over them at home
with the little ones. When the children go to their
screened corner the mothers retire to another corner,
where they study the lesson for the day, under the
leadership of one of their own number or of a regularly
appointed teacher.

Successful work is being done in the one-room school.
A corner near the Bible class, if possible, is chosen for
the children, so that any disturbance which they may
create will not be noticed so much as though they were
near some of the younger pupils. A sand tray may be
used here if there is room, stories told, and a little quiet
play work introduced.

An offering is taken in these classes, and sometimes
the teacher will provide a Ught lunch of crackers and a
drink of cool water toward the close of the hour.

A Cradle Roll class makes for more intelligent co-
operation between home and school, and through the
little child parents are often brought back into active
church work.

A Cradle Roll nursery differs from a Cradle Roll
class in that it cares for even the tiny babies, and is
intended to interest rather than to instruct. It is
arranged chiefly for the benefit of mothers who cannot
leave their little ones at home, and must either bring
them to church and Sunday school or themselves re-
main away. Sometimes the nursery is open during
the Sunday-school hour; again it is open only at the

54 ^i)t Crable 3iaoU department

time of morning worship. The superintendent and
one or more assistants are usually in charge, although
the mothers themselves may take turns in looking
after it. The membership is divided, and each one is
asked to serve one or more Sundays during the year.
Not infrequently a class of young women will become
responsible for this nursery when it is held at the hour
of church service, and they, in groups of two or more,
will be present on Sunday morning. Unless the num-
ber of babies in the nursery is large, it is better not to
have too many assistants. The helpers usually pro-
vide crackers or plain cookies for the older children,
but the baby's milk and water bottles are brought by
the mother. A small alcohol lamp on which the milk
may be heated should be a part of the equipment.
Some mothers put aside little toys which are to be used
only on Sunday in the Cradle Roll nursery. Some-
times a group of the older babies, two or three years
old, may be taken off into a corner by one of the assist-
ants and told a story.

The Cradle Roll nursery is intended for the little
ones under three or four years of age. Older children
ought to be placed in a Sunday kindergarten or Begin-
ners Class.

Where there is no nursery, and the mother must hold
her baby during the hour of service, if she attends at
all, why not see to it that she is made as comfortable as
possible? A small rocking-chair and footstool in the
back of the auditorium would be inconspicuous, and a
mother can hold a sleeping child and enjoy the service

tlTfje Crable aaoU €la^^ or ^ux^tt^ 55

much more when comfortable physically than when
compelled to sit upright in a church pew.

Where there is no nursery or Cradle Roll class, the
mothers may meet and form a "Mother and Baby"
class. The mothers bring the little ones, but instead
of its being an occasion where baby is entertained or
taught, mother looking on, it is mother who is the pupil.
A description of one such class may be interesting. A
number of young mothers, all of whom had at some time
been active in Sunday-school work, agreed that if a
certain room off to one side of the auditorium, but
connected by folding doors, would be given them for a
classroom, they would organize, elect officers and a
teacher, and attend Sunday school. They were given
the room, and small rocking-chairs were provided.
Small chairs to be used by the httle ones old enough
to sit on them, but too small or too shy to go into the
Beginners Class, were also provided. Screens were
so arranged that if the mother preferred, she might
rock her babe in privacy. The class united with the
school in the opening service, but not in the closing.
That time was spent, behind closed doors, in preparing
the httle ones for the street. Once a month a social
was held to which the fathers were invited, and from
this sprang a men's class.

XV

Mfjen tfje ©eatfj Sngel Contest

Sometimes when a little one is taken away, the only
Christian woman to whom bereaved parents can turn
for sympathy and help is the Cradle Roll superintend-
ent. How important and necessar}^, then, that the
superintendent be in such close touch with each home
that she knows where there is sickness and when death
enters.

The superintendent will attend the funeral, and as
many of the Cradle Roll mothers as possible will repre-
sent the Department, and in this way express their
sympathy. Flowers may be sent in the name of the
Cradle Roll, and the little name card may be removed
from the cradle and tied to them. Birthdaj^ offerings
are occasionally used to buy flowers for this purpose,
or the Sunday school may pay for them, as for any other
expense. On the Sunday following the superintendent
should see that the pulpit flowers are sent to the home.

Special wall rolls on which to inscribe the names of
those on the ''Heavenly Roll" are often used. An
appropriate roll shows a picture of Christ with a little
child in his arms, mounted on a white card. The words
''Jesus said, 'Suffer Httle children to come unto me,'"
are printed underneath, and, suspended from this, on
narrow satin ribbon runners, are little cards, each deco-

56

Hfien tfje BeatJj ^ngel Comesf 57

rated with an angel face and the name and date of
birth and death of a baby.

Where the names are left on a continuous roll, a
tiny bow of white satin ribbon pinned above the name
indicates that the baby has gone above, or a little
cherub seal is pasted opposite the name.

Little letters and illustrated folders to send to the
parents may be had from the Sunday-school supply
houses, or the superintendent may write a message of
her ow^n.

If the superintendent so desires, reference to the
death may be made the following Sunday, by stating
that Jesus has called a little one to be with him in
heaven. This is followed by the transfer of the name
from one roll to the other. The children repeat, ''Suf-
fer the little children to come unto me, and for-
bid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of
God." One of the teachers, or some one selected for
the purpose, sings a verse of ''Safe in the Arms of
Jesus," and then the superintendent reads the follow-
ing verses from her Bible: "And God himself shall be
with them." "They shall hunger no more, neither
thirst any more." "For the Lamb that is in the midst
of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide
them unto fountains of waters of life," and closes with
the httle prayer, substituting the correct pronoun:

"Fold her, O Father, in thine arms,
And let her henceforth be
A messenger of love between
Our human hearts and thee."

58 ^fje Crablc 3^oU department

The little cradle may be trimmed with white flowers,
which may afterward be taken to the home, or to the
cemetery and placed upon the grave.

There is nothing sad or gloomy about this service,
and its use may dispel some of the wrong impressions
which children have of death.

XVI

tCranfifferrins a Crable J^oll Jlember

The work of a Cradle Roll superintendent ought not
to end when a baby leaves the neighborhood. It
should be her duty to keep track of baby until he is
entered on some other roll. A good way of holding the
baby is to communicate with the pastor of the nearest
church of the denomination, asking him to call upon
the strangers, and also to have the Cradle Roll superin-
tendent secure baby's name. If there is no church
of the denomination in the immediate vicinity, but
one of another is close at hand, it would not be dis-
loyalty to inform the pastor of the neighboring church.
Where there is a Graded Elementary Union in the city,
with the Cradle Roll superintendents in one division,
the name of the nearest superintendent may be ob-
tained, and she may be notified of the new member
ready to be transferred to her roll.

Until the superintendent knows that baby is on an-
other roll, the name should remain with her. As soon
as the parents, or superintendent, of the other school
notify her that baby is enrolled elsewhere, the name
should be dropped from her list of active members.

A separate roll for those who have left the school
may be used. At the top of a sheet of cardboard
mount the picture of a train, and underneath write the

59

60 tKfje Crable ^aoU department

names. This gives a complete record of all babies
who have left the community. A note is made on the
record card, or in the book, of the circumstances inci-
dental to the removal of the name, and the card is
filed away.

The County Elementary Superintendent may assist
in placing baby's name on a Cradle Roll in a new lo-
cality. If she is notified that the family is in a certain
town, she in turn can communicate with a Cradle Roll
superintendent there.

Transfer cards to give baby when leaving, and to be
presented to the superintendent of the new school,
may be bought from the supply houses, or the school
may have a special design of its own. The greatest
value which lies in these cards is that the parents will
be less apt to neglect having baby entered in a new
school where they have such a reminder.

xvn

promotion ©a|>

This is, or should be, a great day for the baby as
well as for the Department. A public program may
be arranged, either to be given before the entire school
or during the hour of morning worship. In many
schools a regular Promotion Day is held the last Sun-
day in September when pupils from each grade and
department graduate and enter the next higher. Where
this is done, the Cradle Roll comes first on the program,
and a short, simple exercise that conforms with the
rest of the service is sufficient. Where there is no
regular Promotion Day, the babies may have their
graduation service in connection with some other public
event. It may be part of the Children's Day program,
or of Rally Day, or the chief number of the Cradle Roll
Sunday service. Whenever the promotion occurs, let
it be given prominence, for this is an important event
in the life of baby. He may have been attending Sun-
day school more or less regularly for some months
previous, but this marks his public entrance into the
active life of the school. In some schools it is a rule to
promote baby when three years of age; in others the
little ones are kept on the roll until the fourth birthday
is passed.

A certificate, the second which he has received during
61

62 ^f)t Ctable laoU department

his short Ufe, is given. The first, the certificate of
membership, indicated his entrance into Sunday school,
and this, his promotion into the Beginners Department.
The certificates are rolled and tied with ribbon, the
name being written lightly in pencil on the outside, or
a tiny card bearing the name may be tied on with the
bow. A flower run through the ribbon band adds to
its attractiveness. Some superintendents make much
of the promotion of each "class," and the little ones
each succeeding year have their own ''class" color
and flower. Where this is done, the certificates are
tied with the class colors. At other times pink ribbon
is used for the boys and blue for the girls. Again,
some superintendents prefer to have everything white,
and others use the elementary colors, green and white.

In order to have the children present on Promotion
Day they must be invited to come. Sunday-school
supply houses ofl'er printed invitations which are at-
tractive and quite inexpensive. Some superintendents,
however, prefer to write a personal note. Others
make it a point to visit baby, and invite him and his
parents to be present. It is a good plan for the teacher
of the' class into which the little one will enter to ac-
company the superintendent on this occasion, and so
become acquainted with her new charge.

Invitations to join the Beginners Department may
be sent at this time. These are printed or written on
little cards or folders, and sometimes decorated with
pictures of children three or four years old. The
pictures are prettier when touched up with water colors,

promotion Bap 63

and the messages may read something like the follow-
ing:

"Dear little friend: This little girl is four years old,
and she goes to Sunday school every week. You
are four years old, and wouldn't you like to be in
our Beginners Class?"

"Good-morning, Little Cradle Roll Girl! How
would 3'ou like to be a Beginner now that you are
so big and strong? Won't you come to our Sunday
school and try it?"

As a part of the exercise, the wall roll may be placed
upon a table or chair, where it can be reached by the
children, and as each name is called the little fingers
may be guided to the place where the owner's name card
is inserted, that he may remove it. The card is to be
taken home as a souvenir, or given to the new teacher.
Or, as the names are called, an assistant may remove the
cards and hand them to the children.

If it is customary to leave the names on the wall roll,
a tiny pink rosebud seal, the emblem of the Beginners
Class, or a gold star, pasted opposite the name, will
indicate that baby is no longer a member of the Cradle
Roll but of the Beginners Class.

It is a pleasing and profitable custom to have each
of the graduates secure a new member to take the place
vacated. When this is done, the certificate may have
the words, ''Promoted with Honor," inserted. An-
other way is to have a gold seal placed upon the cer-
tificate, or the ribbons for tying may be of a special
color.

When the time arrives for promoting the little ones.

64 ZEfje Crable I^oll department

the question asked the superintendent is, ''What part
can the babies take in such a service?" A charming
promotion service in which the httle ones may have a
part, yet say nothing, and which may be carried out
with any number of children, is this:

The Beginners teacher and Cradle Roll superin-
tendent work together. From the Beginners Class
select as many children as there are little graduates,
and have the same number of big boys as little boys,
and a big girl for each little girl. The Beginners, with
their teacher, each wearing a pink rosebud, the emblem
of their Department, and holding a similar blossom in
the left hand, take their place on one side of the plat-
form. Up the steps and across the platform will come
the Cradle Roll superintendent, followed by the little
graduates. They form a semicircle, and the pastor,
or superintendent, with a few appropriate words, pre-
sents the certificates. The Cradle Roll superintendent
turns to the group of Beginners, and, addressing the
teacher, says: ''These are our little Cradle Roll gradu-
ates, who are now old enough to attend Sunday school
regularly. Have you a place for them in your class?"
The Beginners teacher replies: "Yes, we have room for
them and many more, and as Jesus said to let the little
ones come unto him, so in his name we bid them wel-
come. Shall we not, little Beginners ? " (turning to the
group beside her). The Beginners in chorus reply:
"Yes, Suffer the little children to come unto me.
These are the words of our Saviour, spoken to such as
these." The Cradle Roll superintendent, turning to

promotion Bap 65

her little flock, says: "Dear little ones, the time has
come when you are no longer members of the Cradle
Roll, but are ready to take your place with these other
children. Do you want to become Beginners, and
attend Sunday school each Sunday, to learn to sing
pretty songs, and to hear beautiful stories about God
and the dear Lord Jesus?" The little ones signify their
willingness either by saying "Yes" or by a simple nod
of the head. Turning to the other teacher, the super-
intendent says: "Here they are. Train them for
Jesus, lead them in the way wherein their little feet
should walk, and may you be faithful to the great trust
that is now laid upon you." The teacher steps to
one side, and the Beginners come forward, each taking
a place beside one of the smaller children, and holding
him by the hand. The teacher says, "As you are to
be little Beginners, you must have the emblem of our
class, to show that you belong to us." At this the Be-
ginners place a rosebud in the hand of each new mem-
ber, and then, hand in hand, the little ones march off
the platform, following the teacher, who leads them to
seats reserved among the Beginners.

A march of the graduates is an easy thing to arrange.
After the Cradle Roll song and prayer the members
of the Cradle Roll follow the superintendent across the
front of the church, down one aisle, across the back of
the auditorium, and up another aisle to the platform.
The superintendent, or an assistant, will carry the little
cradle, and in this may be placed the certificates. The
leader may have in each hand the end of a long streamer
5

66 tlTbe Crable i^oU department

of ribbon or cheesecloth (half a width), and the other
ends may be held by a helper. The children march
in line between the two streamers, holding on to either
side. As they reach the platform the streamers are
dropped, and they stand in a semicircle, while the
superintendent explains that now they are about to
leave the Cradle Roll and become members of the next
Department of the school, the Beginners. Certificates
are presented, and the Beginners teacher escorts them
to special seats among the group of Beginners.

A more elaborate service might be called ''The
Open Gate.'^ A small fence about two feet high is
placed midway across the platform. A gate, hung on
hinges so that it swings easily, is set in the middle.
The gate is held together with ribbon ties. Sometimes
the fence is painted white; again it is trimmed with
flowers, vines or ferns. A little boy and girl from the
Beginners Department, each carrying a basket of flow-
ers or of smaller baskets, take their place at the gate on
the outside, or side nearest the audience. The little
baskets, if they are used, are filled with tiny white
flowers or pink rosebuds, and a bow of ribbon or tulle
is tied' to the handle of each. While a march is being
played, the graduates come in from an anteroom and
take their place on the platform, back of the fence.
An older child recites:

"Open the gates for the dear little feet,
Coming to enter our Bible school class;
Out of the years of their babyhood sweet

Now through the portals of childhood they pass.
Open the gates and welcome them in,
Welcome the Cradle Roll band."

promotion Bap 67

The two Beginners open the gate, and, as the children
pass through, each is handed a flower or one of the small
baskets. The superintendent gives the certificates and
presents the little ones to the Beginners teacher, who
leads them off the platform to seats in the new class.

The little fence used in so many promotion services
may be a strong wooden affair made by a carpenter, or
something less expensive will serve as a substitute.
Some of the boys in the older classes would doubtless
be glad to make it. One superintendent made her own
by using two long strips of wood, wound with white
crepe paper, attached to two steady upright pieces,
which formed the gateway. The other ends were
fastened to the back of pulpit and desk. The pickets
were strips of white paper tacked to the cross-bars.
This made a pretty, but frail, fence. Another used
two old panel picture frames for gates, tying them to
the posts with ribbon hinges.

Just before Promotion Day is a good time to have a
Cradle Roll party — one given in honor of the little
graduates about to leave the Department. Sometimes
only the graduates are invited; again, they are the
guests of honor. At these parties the picture of the
group of graduates may be taken, and where this is
done each year, and each picture framed and hung on
the walls of the schoolroom, or mounted in a scrap-
book, it makes a pleasing record of the number who
have graduated from the Cradle Roll Department.

A delightful custom is to have, in connection with the
promotion service, an alumni march, in which all the

68 tlTfje Crable l^oll department

members of the school who have ever been on the
Cradle Roll take part. Where the Department has
been organized for years, young men and women will
take their places with the little ones "just past three."
Let each "class" be represented, the members carrying
white pennants with the year of promotion painted
under the words "CRADLE ROLL." After the little
graduates are presented with their certificates they are
joined by the others, according to the year of their
promotion, and then the whole procession, led by the
three-year-olds, marches off the platform.

xvni

Crable 3Ron Bap

One of the requirements in the ''Cradle Roll Aims and
Methods" is that an annual Cradle Roll Day be ob-
served. This usually forms a portion of the opening or
closing service in Sunday school, or may be held during
the hour of morning worship. The choir will sing
appropriate music; the pastor preach a special sermon
to the parents, and a demonstration of Cradle Roll
work be given. In some schools the babies are invited
to be present the last Sunday of each quarter in the
Beginners or Primary room, where a short welcome
service is held. In addition, the Cradle Roll usually
has a place on the program of all special days.

Thie parents should receive a cordial invitation to
attend and bring baby, and special seats may be re-
served for them. If possible, arrange to have auto-
mobiles go after the babies, and so make sure of their
being present.

A good exercise to use in connection with the service
is the Cradle Roll catechism. The superintendent is
assisted by ten young girls, who form a semicircle
around the cradle, which stands on the platform. To
the sides are attached ribbons, one of which is held by

69

70 ^fje Crable B^oll department

each girl. A Cradle Roll welcome song is sung, and
then the following questions asked:

Superintendent. — What is the Cradle Roll?

First Girl. — A Department of the Sunday school for the babies
who are too small to attend the services. We put their names
on the roll, and then, when they are three 3'ears old, bring
them into the Beginners Class.

Superintendent. — Whom do we enroll?

Second. — Any baby in the neighborhood under three (or four)
years of age who is not already on some other roll, provided
the parents will allow us to.

Superintendent. — Do we ever try to get the babies away from
other schools or other denominations?

Third. — No, but where the parents do not attend any other
church, or where there is no Cradle Roll connected with their
Sunday school, then, if they will consent to it, we enroll them
on ours.

Superintendent. — How many babies have we on our roll at the
present time?

Fourth. . During the past year have been promoted

to the Beginners Class, have moved away, died, so

altogether we have had .

Superintendent. — Are there many babies enrolled on Cradle Rolls
throughout the world?

Fifth. — Yes, there are a great many — over a million.

"Have you heard of the host from Baby land,

Marching up to the battle with sin?
How their lines reach out from shore to shore

In the cause they would help us to win?
Their names are writ on our Cradle Rolls,

And we list to the music made
By the prattling sweet, and the pattering feet

Of the Uttle 'Pink Toe Brigade.'"

Superintendent. — What kinds of babies do we want on the roll?

Crable 3^oU Bap 71

Sixth. —

"Babies short, and babies tall,
Babies big, and babies small.
Blue-eyed babies, babies fair.
Brown-eyed babies, with lots of hair.
Babies so tiny they can't sit up,
Babies that drink from a silver cup.
Babies that coo, babies that creep,
Babies that only can eat and sleep.
Babies that laugh, and babies that talk,
Babies quite big enough to walk."

Superintendent. — What do we look for as the result of the influ-
ences of the Cradle Roll upon the homes and community?

Seventh. —

"Before this brigade of sweet innocents
Old Evil can never stand;
And who shall number the lost led back

By the clasp of a baby's hand?
Their names are writ on our Cradle Rolls,

And our Bible schools find aid,
And consecration, and inspiration
In the Uttle 'Pink Toe Brigade.' "

Superintendent. — Are any babies too young or too small to be-
come members of the Cradle Roll?

Eighth. —

"In a tiny cradle, curtained round with white,
Lies a darhng baby, dainty, sweet and bright;
Claim him now for Jesus, through the Cradle Roll,
Then, when older, bring him to our Sunday school."

Superintendent. — Why do we have a Cradle Roll?

Ninth. — Because Jesus took them, the little children, in his arms,
put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

(The girls all sing, very softly.)
"I think, when I read that sweet story of old.
When Jesus was here among men;
How he called little children as lambs to his fold,
I should like to have been with them then."

Superintendent. — Wliat is our real reason for having a Cradle
Roll?

72 ^fje Crable 3^0X1 department

Tenth. — Because the Bible says: "And they were bringing unto
him also their babes, that he should touch them: but when
the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called
them unto him, saying, Suffer the little children to come unto
me, and forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom
of God."

With bowed heads the girls repeat:

"Heavenly Father, hear our prayer;
Keep within thy constant care
These dear babies thou hast sent,
To their loving parents lent.
To be taught and trained for you.
May our school its mission do,
Love and pray for, guard them, too."

This service may be followed by roll call and presenta-
tion of a flower to each baby present.

In explaining the nature of Cradle Roll work to the
congregation, one superintendent introduced, at the
proper time, a full-sized bassinet, daintily trimmed in
blue ribbon and white peonies. In this were placed
several of the smallest of the babies, thus showing who
were being cared for.

Where Cradle Roll Welcome Sunday is observed
quarterly in the Beginners or Primary room, the
exercise is very simple. On the preceding Sunday
mention is made that next Sunday will be Cradle Roll
Day, or a little banner with the picture of a baby is
hung in front of the room so that the little folks may
remember what is to come next Sunday. Sometimes
a rubber stamp with the words "Cradle Roll Day
Next Sunday" is used to stamp all the cards and papers
which the children take home.

Crable iaoll Bap 73

Seats are provided for the parents in the rear of the
room. They can then see what is going on in the
classes, but their presence does not interfere with the
children so much as though they were seated in front.
When the little ones sing the song of welcome, they
turn and face the back of the room. The Cradle Roll
exercise is only a part of the program, so too much time
must not be devoted to it. The parents and visitors
will enjoy seeing something of the regular work of the
Department. A pretty service which will occupy less
than ten minutes is this: Song:

"A welcome to you,
A welcome to you,
A welcome, dear parents,
We're glad to see you.

"A welcome to you,
A welcome to you,
A welcome, dear babies,
We're glad to see you."

Concert recitation: " The Lord bless thee, and keep thee.

Teachers: The Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be
gracious unto thee.

Superintendent: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee,
and give thee peace."

Concert prayer, children standing with bowed heads and folded
hands :

"Bless all our Cradle babies,
Wherever they may be;
Although in homes so scattered

Thou every one dost see.
We love them, and thou lovest them,

Oh! may they grow to be
A band of little Christians,

Obedient, Lord, to thee. Amen."

74 tlTfje Crable l^oll department

If there is a new name to be added to the roll, the usual
enrollment service is carried out in addition to this.

The cradle occupies a prominent place during the
service, and the attention of the visitors is called to any-
special feature of wall roll or picture display. At the
close, a little souvenir is given each baby. This may
be a card, a flower, tiny plant, or some such trifle.

Visitors' welcome cards, to be used on any occasion
when parents are invited to a Cradle Roll service, are
sometimes handed the parents as they enter or leave
the room. One such card reads:

We are glad to see you among

Welcome! the worshipers this morning.

It would give our pastor and

our members pleasure to meet you at the

close of the service, and become personally

acquainted with you and dear baby.

Cradle Roll Superintendent.

XIX

g)pecial Baj>fi^

A share in all special days belongs to the babies, and
they will want a place on the program. The same
general features which are outlined for Cradle Roll
Sunday may be adapted to suit the occasion. Special
invitations must be sent to each baby to come and bring
parents and friends. A little souvenir of some kind
may be provided. Have the Cradle Roll number of
the program so bright and attractive that it will be the
very best of the whole service.

Occasionally seats are reserved for the babies and
their parents, and if possible small rocking-chairs are
provided for the use of mothers who may have to hold
restless children. These may be placed in the back of
the room.

A suggestive program for use on Easter, Mother's
Day, Children's Day, Rally Day, or other special
season, and which will take less than ten minutes to
present, is this:

Girls from the Primary or the Junior department stand
around the cradle, which is on a table upon the plat-
form. They sing a verse of the Cradle Roll Ode, using
the familiar tune, ''America":

75

76 Cf)e Crable i^oll department

"God bless these babies dear,
All who are gathered here,

Our Cradle Roll.
Jesus, in thy dear arms
Keep safe from all that harms
And guard from all alarms.

Our Cradle Roll."

A report of the Department may be given by the
superintendent, which will include, in addition to the
number of babies enrolled, et cetera, anything else that
may be of special interest to that particular congre-
gation. She then reads from her Bible: "And they
were bringing unto him also their babes, that he should
touch them: but when the disciples saw it, they re-
buked them. But Jesus called them unto him, saying.
Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid
them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God."

The girls sing,

"I think, when I read that sweet story of old"

and offer one of the little Cradle Roll prayers.

If there is a new member to be welcomed, — and it is
well to keep a name in reserve for this occasion, — a
special enrollment service is given.

If there are not too many babies, the roll may be
called, the mother bringing baby to the platform in
response to its name.

XX

The babies must have a part in the Christmas cele-
bration. They may meet with the children of the
Beginners and Primary classes, or by themselves, if
the Department is large. Where the whole school
unites in a service the Sunday preceding Christmas the
babies have a part; but they are not expected to be
present at an evening entertainment.

A pleasing custom followed by one school is to hold
a vesper service the Sunday afternoon before Christ-
mas, when all the school members and their parents
gather together and sing Christmas hymns. The
parents of the babies receive a special invitation to be
present, and seats are reserved for them.

Another pretty plan is to have two trees, one large
tree for the main school, and a small tree for the Cradle
Roll. The two trees are placed on the platform side
by side, the babies' tree being trimmed in things ap-
propriate to them.

If you want to interest the mothers during the busy
Christmas season enough to get them to take the trouble
and time to prepare baby and bring him to the party,
make your invitation so pretty that they cannot resist.
When a hectograph is used, all sorts of pretty little
sketches showing Santa, trees, stars, and other Christ-

77

78 W'i)t Crable 3^oU department

mas symbols may decorate the invitation. Christmas
seals may also be used in a number of ways. A little
fir tree cut from green paper, decorated with tiny gold
or silver stars, the invitation written on the back, is
good. Or two stockings may be cut from paper, the
edges pasted together, and a note slipped in the top.
The stocking may be decorated with a Christmas seal,
and the invitation written underneath. Stockings
made from scrim or tarlatan are used as an envelope
for the invitation.

Little Christmas bells may be cut from red or green
paper, and a star-shaped card is appropriate. A star
cut from red cardboard ma}^ have a Christmas seal in
the center, and around the edge may be written,
''Under the stars one holy night, a little Babe was
born."

Superintendents who believe that a catchy rhyme
will attract the mothers, when a more formal style
would not, have used the following:

"Dear baby, and mother, remember!
Wednesday, the twenty-third of December,
Santa invites you to come and see
His beautiful big Christmas tree."

"Christmas is coming!

Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho!
Christmas is coming,

With ice and snow.
Come to our party

On Monday, at two,
You'll have a good time

And mother will, too."

Where a giving Christmas is being observed by the

Cfjrisitmas; 79

school, the babies may be allowed to have a part.
One superintendent sent to each of her little charges
the following note:

Dear Baby Ruth: I am sure that you will want
to know what our Sunday school is going to do
on Christmas Eve, so I am writing this little
letter to tell you.

The service, this year, is to be more of giv-
ing than of receiving. We will have an enter-
tainment called "White Gifts for the King,"
and each one will have an envelope in which I
would like to have you put your offering and
return to me before Christmas Eve, so that we
may have our gift ready for that time.

The Cradle Roll gift will be furnishings for
a baby's bed at the hospital and other things
used for the babies who have to go there.
Lovingly yours,

Cradle Roll Superintendent.

An invitation tied to a long stocking made from bright
cotton cloth, in which is a card reading ''Please fill
this stocking with goodies, from the top right down to
the toe," is one way of having the babies remember
others at the Christmas time.

XXI

^oubenirsf for Special ^easfonsf

The superintendent who likes to remember the babies
in her Department with a small souvenir as a token of
her loving thought for them at any and every special
season may find a few suggestions as to what others
have used helpful. Only tiny things, these souvenirs,
but they have their place in keeping the parents and
other members of the family interested in the Cradle
Roll, and through it, in the church. The wise superin-
tendent, unless she has plenty of time at her command,
will endeavor to interest others in the making of these
favors. What would be a big task for one person is
only play when a number get at it. How the older
girls delight in making these little gifts! And how
often an invalid will forget her pain and troubles if
she is kept busy with some such light work as this.
Or an old lady will enjoy the thought of still being
useful, even though unable to get out of the house, if
she is asked to make knitted balls or bean bags for the
babies. The boys, too, will not refuse to do anything
they can if asked.

Scrapbooks may be made of white or colored paper
cambric. Cut the cambric in strips twenty inches
long by eight wide, and fold in the center. The re-
quired number of leaves are stitched together, pretty

80

^oubenirg for Special ^ea^ong 81

pictures pasted in, and the book is ready for baby.
Sometimes a cover of white oilcloth is added. The boys
may assist in making these books.

A tiny tarlatan stocking filled with candy is some-
times used, and so are little baskets packed with cookies.
Some superintendents prefer to use plain cookies or
crackers instead of candy, as the mothers object to the
latter.

Where there is a large membership, try grading the
gifts, that is, a special thing for each year. This gives a
variety.

Sometimes it is the mothers who are remembered by
the superintendent, and a little gift is sent in the name
of baby. One used her camera and secured a picture
of every baby. At Christmas each mother received a
picture of her own baby, with the message on the back:

"Here's your Cradle Roll baby
So cunning and sweet,
From the top of his head
To the soles of his feet."

Another sent to each mother a group picture of all
the guests at one of the Cradle Roll receptions.

A package of Comfort Powders would make a good
Christmas gift for the mother, if accompanied with a
Christmas wish and instructions to take one when feel-
ing tired. Little quotations on baby or motherhood —
just a line perhaps, or maybe a poem of several verses —
are written on slips of paper and rolled in a piece of
fringed tissue-paper. A half-dozen of these little rolls
are tied together.

82 W\)t Crable i^oll department

A calendar made by mounting a picture on a piece
of cardboard and adding a calendar pad makes a nice
remembrance, particularly if baby's birthday is marked
by a star or some other symbol. Then, when the
mother looks over the calendar, she realizes that the
superintendent had her in mind when making it.

Valentine's Day is another good time for remember-
ing the babies. A package of twenty-five red hearts
can be bought for ten cents. On these paste tiny scrap
pictures or little text cards such as are used in some
Primary Departments, and then write baby's name and
a little greeting, perhaps adding the name of the school.
Two hearts, one slightly smaller than the other, may be
tied together, or several small decorated hearts strung
on a ribbon.

The Christmas sachet idea is equally good when a
valentine card is used, and the envelope may be fas-
tened with a little heart seal.

The Sunbonnet Babies, cut from colored paper, may
be used for valentines. Write a message on the inside,
and see if the little folks don't think them the nicest of
valentines.

The Sunbonnet girl and Overall boy, outlined on a
small card and colored with water colors, make another
pretty valentine. Add the words, ''To my Valentine,"
or some such message, and on the back write baby's
name and a greeting.

A delightful set of Easter cards was made for the
fifty babies of one Department. Magazine pictures
were sought which fitted the child for whom the card

^oubenirsf for Special ^easfong 83

was intended. These were mounted on plain cards
and touched up with water colors. A verse composed to
fit the card and the child was written on one side, and
on the back an Easter greeting signed by the superin-
tendent. These cards were the work of a class of
young ladies.

Flower seeds and plants are frequently used at Easter.
One superintendent arranged for a group of Junior
boys to deliver to each baby on Easter morning a tiny
flowerpot, tied with a green ribbon, in which was planted
a nasturtium seed. The boys explained to the parents
that a Sunday some time in July or August was to be
Flower Sunday, and at that time the babies were ex-
pected to be present, and to use their plants to decorate
the chancel.

A tiny packet of seeds may be tied to an Easter card,
or placed in an envelope sealed with an Easter emblem.

May baskets are made and hung for the babies.
Children in the Primary grades delight to do this.

Under the direction of their teacher a class of girls
made pretty little green paper baskets and in each put
a little plant. These were given to the mothers of the
Cradle Roll babies on Mother's Day.

A cradle-shaped card, with a baby's head pasted on
the top, the mother's name written underneath, and
below that a quotation on motherhood, will make a
very good place card to use at the tables when serving
refreshments at a baby party.

A practical souvenir is a feeding bib. Checked
glass toweling may be used, the sides and end feather-

84 tlTije Crablc 3^oll department

stitched in colored cotton, and the neck bound with
tape. These cost less than five cents each. Another
style may be made from two thicknesses of cheese-
cloth lightly quilted together. Before serving refresh-
ments, tie a bib under each little chin, and tell baby to
take it home as a reminder of the party.

Dolls always make good favors. Fresh, clean clothes-
pins may be gayly dressed, and will please the little
ones, and so will the cute little dolls which can be fash-
ioned from corn husks. Dolls made of yarn or plain
carpet warp are always enjoyed, and have an advantage
over some of the others in that they may be washed.
What fun a crowd of girls, and boys, too, would have
in making a quantity of these dolls for the babies!

Souvenirs prepared entirely by a class of boys were
pennants. Blue pennants were made for the girls,
and pink for the boys. They were made from cambric,
mounted on smooth sticks. The words ''Cradle Roll"
were painted in black on one side.

A tiny bouquet of flowers tied to a ribbon loop large
enough to slip over baby's head was used as a souvenir
at one Cradle Roll party. A nosegay was hung around
each little neck.

A cla,ss of girls had a fine time one evening when
they met ^vith the superintendent and helped to fashion
the cutest little baby bonnets from paper napkins.
These were used at a party, and a part of the program
was a march in which all the babies and their mothers
took part, the babies wearing their pretty bonnets.

Toy balloons are favorites with the little ones, and

^oubenirsf for Special ^easfonsf 85

occasionally the only favor given is a bow of blue or
pink ribbon, pinned or tied to baby's sleeve.

Pretty and inexpensive souvenirs may be made from
a few copies of illustrated Mother Goose rhymes.
These may be bought for as little as five cents each.
Cut out the figures and mount them on plain card-
board, writing the accompanying verse underneath.
Give each baby a card.

XXII

Crable 3Roll parties;

It is a little more interesting to be invited to an ani-
mal or a cooky social than just to a ''party/' and it is
really easier for the superintendent to arrange such a
party than where there is no definite idea to carry out
in invitation, program and decorations. Then, too,
the mothers will often make a greater effort to attend
if the invitation is unusual in form and color, and the
party promises to be something of special interest.
Use any legitimate means that will bring the mothers
and babies out. There are so few places where a mother
feels free to go and take baby for a social afternoon, that
specially planned entertainments for them are very
welcome. And often the only time a mother enters
church while her little ones are small is in connection
with some Cradle Roll event. One superintendent
says that she always plans every social and enter-
tainment to be held in the church, rather than at her
own home, so that the very earliest impressions the
httle ones receive of church will be happy.

Cradle Roll parties must not be confused with
mothers' meetings. The parties are intended to bring
the mothers together in a social way, to have them meet
the pastor and other of the church members, and to en-
joy some pleasing entertainment. A set program is not

86

Crable i^oll parties; 87

always successful, for just at a time when something
interesting is going on, some baby is sure to demand
attention. At a mothers' meeting the babies are cared
for in another room, and the mothers left free to listen
without interruption. The parties, however, may be
made bright with music, readings or games — something
of a simple entertaining nature.

There are always mothers connected with the Cradle
Roll who are members of the church and those who are
not. It should be the aim of those on the ''inside" to
look after those who are not members, and try by their
quiet influence to draw them in.

After going to the trouble and expense of preparing
for a party the superintendent naturally hopes that a
majority of the mothers will be present. It is the cus-
tom of one superintendent to write a note to each ab-
sentee the day after the party telling how she missed
her, and asking after health of mother and babe. A
second card is seldom sent to one baby, because ''next
time" the mother makes an effort to be present, feeling
that she is really wanted.

The question of suitable refreshments to serve may
trouble the inexperienced superintendent. Sometimes
the nature of the party will suggest the most suitable
things to serve. It must be remembered that never
should anything elaborate or rich be provided. Our
guests are only little folks, and those who are old enough
to eat are not yet ready for anything but the sim-
plest food. Sometimes the babies are seated at one
table and the mothers at another. Then the mothers

^Jje Crable 3^oU department

may be served with different refreshments. At one
party the Httle folks were dehghted to find animal
crackers walking over dishes of pure ice cream. As
fast as the animals disappeared watchful attendants
saw to it that others took their place. This was a very
informal party. Each child knelt in front of the chair
on which he had been sitting, using it as a table. A
pretty paper napkin was placed on each for a cloth.

A generous handful of animal crackers tied up in a
paper napkin is another way of serving. Each child
is given a bag of crackers to eat with his ice cream.

Little paper cups filled with tiny white candies from
which arose a stick of candy so that it looked very nmch
like a candle were placed beside each plate at one party,
and at another animal-shaped cookies were surrounded
by a fence of pure white candy.

Cookies of all styles and shapes are always appro-
priate, and plain sandwiches of bread and butter, or
tiny buttered rolls, are wholesome and good.

Cradle Roll parties may be as varied and as unique
as those arranged for older people. Every special
season and day may be the occasion for a party, and
though' the little ones may not understand the fancy
invitation and little favors, the mothers will appreciate
the attention. Something suitable for every month of
the year may be carried out if a little thought is given
the subject.

No matter what kind of party you are planning, try
to have something unique in the way of invitations.
A form often used is:

Crablc 3aoll ^artieg 89

"For once leave your home to the care of others,
And come to the party for babies and mothers."

This may be written on a card decorated with the pic-
ture of a baby cut from a magazine or, some advertise-
ment, the place of meeting and d'ate being added below.

Another very simple plan is to write a note on a card

cut in some fancy shape, saying,

Dear haby : You and mother are in-
vited to a party at the church on

Thursday from three to five. All the other
Cradle Roll babies are expected to be present,
so please come.

For a picnic nothing is prettier than a basket-shaped

card with a message such as

"Let us go with our lunch basket and spend a
happy day together, all the Cradle Roll babies
and their mothers, under the big green trees
at ."

''What a lot of work!" some one may say. Yes, it
takes time, money and brains to write these invita-
tions, prepare the souvenirs, arrange the meeting place,
plan the program, provide refreshments, and everything
else, but who would not be willing to go to some trouble
and expense when they entertain friends in their own
home? Is not this, the Master's work, of as much im-
portance, and does it call for less time and talent? And
when the superintendent realizes the importance of
these little social gatherings as a necessary means of
establishing a spirit of cooperation and a bond of
sympathy between home and church and school, they
will surely become even more popular than they are at
present.

XXIII

^rije Crable i^oU anb Mi^^ion^

Some superintendents believe that even the Httle
ones on the Cradle Roll are not too young to take a
part in the evangelization of the world. Mite boxes
are given at the time of enrollment, these to be re-
turned at some stated time during the year. Perhaps
once a quarter the banks are collected, or every six
months they are replaced with new. An annual party
at which they are opened is another method. Easter
is a good time to hold this box opening, and at least
one superintendent turns her Christmas party into a
missionary meeting, and the little ones at that time
bring their gifts for missions.

Sometimes the Cradle Roll has a special missionary
object of its own — the support of a baby in a mission
orphanage or something of that kind. Again, the
Cradler Roll may unite with Beginners and Primary
departments in contributing to a special object. Or
the school as a whole may be interested in a cause
toward which all contribute. In one school where an
annual Missionary Day is observed the superintendent
sent to each of the babies a little note stating what was
being done, and asking for a contribution from baby.
With the letter was inclosed an envelope to contain the

90

tlTfje Crable iaoU anb Mi^^iom 91

offering. During the service, while the offerings were
being taken to the platform, a little girl from the Cradle
Roll went up with the others and presented the gift
from the babies.

The birthday offerings are commonly used for mis-
sionary purposes, those of the Cradle Roll babies being
kept separate or not, as the superintendent may desire.

A missionary birthday party to which the babies are
asked to come and contribute as many coins, copper,
silver, or gold, as they are years old is a method em-
ployed to bring in the missionary offering. Of course,
the short program is missionary in general character.

The plan for interesting the mothers and babies in
missions as used by one superintendent may be sug-
gestive to others. She did not invite them to a mis-
sionary party, as then, quite probably, many of the
mothers would not have found it possible to come, but
there was something so unusual and attractive about
the invitation which each received that most of them
accepted and were present on the appointed afternoon.

The invitations were written on little round, orange-
colored cardboard, and read:

Won't you come? Please do,
And bring mother with you to
Our Orange party next Saturday afternoon.
Cradle Roll Superintendent.

The room was attractively decorated with orange-
colored paper. The hostess and her assistants wore
pretty little caps of orange color, and each guest was
presented with a rosette of the same shade, which she

92 tCfje Crable B^oll Bepartment

was asked to wear somewhere about her person as a
compUment to the occasion.

When the guests had all arrived, the superintendent
told of her desire that the babies on the Cradle Roll
should have a part in the great mission work of the
world, and do this by caring for an orphan baby in far-
away India. Every baby who would help toward its
support was given a little bank, the shape and color
of an orange. (These little banks were very inexpen-
sive, costing five cents or less.) At the end of a year
they were to meet again and the banks would be
broken open. Simple refreshments were served at the
close of the afternoon — plain orange jello and little
round cookies, with orangeade to drink. The superin-
tendent told the babies that she would try to get a
picture of their baby in India, and make a copy for
each to keep as a reminder of their early interest in
missions.

Home mission work is sometimes undertaken in the
name of the Cradle Roll Department. One Depart-
ment bought and supports a bed in a denominational
orphans' home, the understanding being that the bed is
always 4o be used by the youngest orphan in the home.
The babies are invited to make a special offering at
Christmas and on Children's Day, and this is used to
support the work.

XXIV

®f)e ^asftor anb tfjc Crable aaoU

A man who had a flock of sheep was asked by a
friend how he succeeded in raising them. He replied,
''By taking care of the lambs." Fortunate is the
Cradle Roll superintendent who has the hearty co-
operation of the pastor in all her work for and with the
little ones; who believes that the future of the church
lies in looking after and caring for them. Between
them they can build up the congregation and Sunday
school through interesting the parents in the affairs
of the church, their attention being first gained because
of the interest taken in baby.

Some pastors recognize the Cradle Roll as one of the
greatest doors to evangehstic work the church has.
In no other w^ay can entrance to homes and hearts be
gained so easily as through this, the baby on the Cradle
Roll. The Cradle Roll has well been termed a feeder
to the church and Sunday school, not only because its
members eventually enter the main school, but because
of the many older people who are led to take an active
interest in Sunday school and church by reason of baby's
first being a member.

The Department records may be made in duplicate,
one going to the pastor. He is then in position to visit

93

94 TE^fje Crable l^oU department

baby, to remember the birthday with a greeting, and
to reach the parents in a systematic way.

By attending the mothers' meetings and Cradle Roll
parties he comes into contact with the mothers and
babies, and can win an indifferent mother over to taking
an interest in church affairs by his attention to the baby.

By assisting the superintendent in planning for
Cradle Roll Sunday he shows his interest in the De-
partment.

Special attention to the notices to be given from the
pulpit, of all regular and special Cradle Roll events,
will show to the public that he considers the Cradle
Roll a vital part of the church life.

A pastor who remembers the babies of the Cradle
Roll while away on his vacation, with a picture post
card and a word of greeting, binds the home more
closely not only to the Sunday school, but to the
church.

One superintendent notifies her pastor as soon as she
hears of a new baby. He immediately writes the par-
ents a note of congratulation that God has so blessed
their home, and asks when he can see the Baby. He
does not ask to see the parents, but makes it a personal
matter with baby. The proud parents notify him, and
he calls as soon as they say he may.

XXV

"Educated motherhood is the need of to-day, not
only in our own land, but across the sea. It is a de-
mand that will not be ignored; it is a Macedonian cry
that refuses to be silenced. Mothers are everywhere
pleading for assistance. Every Bible-school worker
desires to advance the spiritual welfare of the children
under her care, and the religious training of children
in the home. In no better way can this be accom-
plished than by forming a Mother's Association in
connection with the school, in order that the mothers
and teachers — the home and the school — may be
brought into partnership, and an aUied force secured
that will be of immense value."

This statement was made by Mrs. W. F. Heath in
an address before elementary workers at the World's
Sunday-School Convention held in Washington, D. C.
The truth so well expressed by her applies very largely
to the Cradle Roll Department. No one class of moth-
ers needs help more than these, that they may start
baby right from the very beginning, that they may
train him physically, mentally and spiritually during
these three impressionable years when he is a member
of the Cradle Roll.

95

96 Ci)c Crable l^oll department

In many schools Mothers' Departments and Moth-
ers' Clubs have been organized. The mothers meet
together for Bible study or the discussion of such topics
as may be of mutual interest. These are usually of a
very practical nature, and the speakers persons of
authority on their subjects.

Where there is already such an organization in the
church, the superintendents may invite all the mothers
of the Cradle Roll to attend. Perhaps for a part of the
time the Cradle Roll mothers may gather by themselves
for a little talk about their own problems.

A Mothers' Club, when open to mothers of children
of all ages, may be carried on much the same as a
Graded Elementary Union. The mothers meet to-
gether to listen to an address on some topic of mutual
interest, or for the study of some book; then for fifteen
minutes or a half hour separate into groups, in each of
which will be discussed something of special interest
to mothers of children of a certain age. They come
together again for a closing exercise or social hour. In
this way each mother gains help in solving her own
particular problems. Where the organization is in-
tended primarily for the mothers of the Elementary
Division, the children under thirteen years of age, such
a system is practical. The mothers of the Cradle Roll,
Beginners, Primary, and Junior children will each meet
by themselves. Where a mother has children in more
than one Department, she will then select the topic in
which she is most interested and attend that dis-
cussion.

^ illotters;' ^uxiliarp 97

To quote Mrs. Heath once more: ''The organization
should be very simple, and the meetings informal.
It really is not necessary to have a constitution. The
first step is to gather the mothers together. This can
be done in various ways: interest your pastor and
superintendent; put notices in the church bulletin;
ask pastor and superintendent to say a few words from
the pulpit indorsing the movement; send a card of
invitation home by the children; better than all else,
call personally upon each mother and invite her."

These hints were added:

Room: This should be made most attractive.

Leader: Appoint the most consecrated woman in yom* church;
a mother if possible; one who loves God and little children.

Name: Mothers' Association of the Church, or a

name specially suited to your group.

Object: To help mothers to come nearer to Christ; to instruct
their children in religious truths, and to raise the standard of
the home.

Officers: President, vice-president, secretary and treasurer and
librarian.

Dues: It is not necessary to have dues, but if you must have
them, let them be small; a better way is to have a basket on
the table for voluntary offerings at the close of the meeting.

Topics: Simple, practical topics, problems mothers have met in
the home. A program for a season can be arranged, taking
some book for study and discussion, or individual topics.

Music: The best obtainable. Solos, a mothers' chorus, hymns
and children's songs used in Bible school. Mothers ought to
be famihar with these.

Library: Good helpful books for the mothers to read. These
may be donated, one at a time, or bought from the general
fund, and loaned to the members of the association.

98 trfje Crable 3^011 department

Social Hour: Plan for this at the close of the session, with light
refreshments.

Care of Children: Provide some one to care for the children who
cannot be left at home, so that mothers may enjoy the meet-
ing.

Conference: Will the mothers talk? Certainly; every mother
desires the best she can get for the child; if she cannot get it
by hstening, she will ask for it.

Parents^ Meetings: The father has a responsibihty that he can-
not shirk; hold a parents' meeting now and then, and arrange
a program that will interest the fathers as well as the mothers.
Educated "parenthood" will bring a blessing on every home,
on every school, on every nation and on every individual.

All this applies to mothers' meetings in general, but
the Cradle Roll superintendent will find in it that which
is practical for her organization.

Long ago God commanded the parents in Israel to
keep the commandments and to teach them to their
children. We provide for the physical needs of our
little ones, but it is the intention of God that they be
fed with the Bread of life. Yet how many mothers fail
in this because of their inability to tell a story, par-
ticularly a Bible story, in an interesting manner to a
little two- or three-year-old child. In mothers' clubs
the art of story-telling may be a part of the practical
work carried on, and here the mothers will learn how to
tell a Bible story.

Although a Cradle Roll Auxiliary may be carried on
very successfully without a constitution, some superin-
tendents prefer to have one. The following may be
amended or altered to suit local conditions; it is offered
as a suggestive guide.

^ iilotfjerg* ^uxiliarp 99

CONSTITUTION OF CRADLE ROLL AUXILIARY

Article 1

NAME

This organization shall be known as the Cradle Roll Auxiliary
of Sunday School of .

Article 2
OBJECT

The object of this Auxihary is to seek, in a very practical
way, hght in dealing with the problems confronting each mother
in the care and guidance of the babies in our homes.

Article 3
MEMBERSHIP

Any mother who has a child on the Cradle Roll of this or any
other Sunday school is eligible to membership in this Auxiliary.

Article 4
MOTTO

The motto of this AuxiUary shall be:

"A partnership with God is motherhood.

What strength, what purity, what self-control,
What love, what wisdom, should belong to her
Who helps God fashion an immortal soul."

Article 5

PRAYER

The prayer of this Auxiliary shall be :

"God help us mothers all to live aright.

And may our homes all truth and love infold.
Since life for us no loftier aim can hold
Than leading Uttle children to the light. "

8?29'?56

100 'Qtf)t Crable laoU department

Article 6
SONG
The song of this Auxiliary shall be:

"Up to me sweet childhood looketh,

Heart, and mind, and soul awake;
Teach me of thy ways, O Father,

Teach me for sweet childhood's sake.
In their young hearts soft and tender,

Guide my hand good seed to sow,
That its blossoming may praise thee

Praise thee wheresoe'er they go.

"Give to me a cheerful spirit

That my little flock may see
It is good and pleasant service

To be taught of thee.
Father, order all my footsteps;

So direct my daily way.
That in following me, the children

May not go astray.

"Let thy holy counsel lead me,
Let thy light before me shine.
That they may not stumble over

Word or deed of mine.
Draw us hand in hand to Jesus
For his word's sake, unforgot,
'Let the little ones come to me,
And forbid them not.'"

Article 7
OFFICERS
The officers of this Auxihary shall be a president, vice-presi-
dent, secretary, treasurer and Ubrarian, who shall be elected
at the meeting and serve for one year.

Article 8
DUTIES OF OFFICERS

The duties of the first four officers shall be those that usually
pertain to such. The president may or may not be the Cradle
Roll superintendent, according to her wishes in the matter and
the feehng of the Auxiliary members on the subject. The

^ Mothtxsi' ^uxiliarp 101

librarian shall have charge of the Auxiliary library and look after
the proper distribution of books and other hterature — also secure
subscriptions to the various mothers' magazines, and attend to
the ordering of the same.

Article 9
QUORUM

members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of

any special business.

Article 10
MEETINGS

Regular meetings shall be held the of each month. All

meetings to be held in the church parlors, unless otherwise agreed
upon.

Article 11
DUES

The annual dues shall be , payable at the

meeting.

Article 12
COMMITTEES
A Program Committee shall be appointed at the annual
meeting to prepare a tentative program and submit it to the mem-
bers at the next regular monthly meeting for their approval.

A Social Committee appointed at the same time shall pro-
vide refreshments at each of the regular meetings throughout
the year, and endeavor to promote a spirit of friendship among
the members.

A Mothers' Help Committee shall look after the small chil-
dren brought to the meetings, and care for them in a room adjoin-
ing that in which the meeting is held, so that the mothers may
be free to enjoy the program. On this committee each of the
mothers shall serve in turn, thus distributing the work.

Article 13
CRADLE ROLL
The Cradle Roll Auxiliary meetings shall not in any way
conflict with those of the Cradle Roll Department. The mem-
bers are pledged to assist the Cradle Roll superintendent in
every way possible, particularly by attendance upon every party
and pubhc service in which the Department has a part.

102 tlTlje Crablc Boll department

One Auxiliary, in connection with its regular work,
maintains a nursery at the church. This was fitted
up by the members, each contributing something in
the way of equipment or money. Here the little ones
are cared for during the sessions of the Auxiliary, and
on Sunday morning two of the mothers are in church
to look after the little ones who may be brought by
their parents. They are kind enough not to limit the
use of the room to members only, but any child under
six may be left there.

Definite study of the various mothers' magazines or
of some good book has been found most helpful. Such
books as ''Study of Child Nature" by Elizabeth Harri-
son; ''The Unfolding Life" by Mrs. A. A. Lamoreaux;
"Stories and Story-Telling" by St. John; "The Dawn
of Character" by Mumford; "Child Nature and Child
Nurture" by St. John; "How to Tell Stories to Chil-
dren"; "Children's Rights"; and others of this char-
acter, have opened up a new world to many a mother
when studied under the leadership of a capable in-
structor.

Such practical things as the maintenance of a Dorcas
fund, consisting of outgrown baby-clothes, which are
passed along to other mothers, is a part of some Auxil-
iary work.

Where refreshments are served they should be very
simple. A cup of tea or chocolate, and wafers, will be
found sufficient. A pretty custom is to have as "guests
of honor" those whose birthdays have occurred during
the month. Another is to reverse this order and have

^ iHoftersf* ^nxiliavp 103

these favored mothers give a "birthday party" to the
others, they being the hostesses.

A pretty little reminder which the superintendent
might send to each mother in the Auxiliary is a cal-
endar. On a regular mount or piece of cardboard
place a picture of a baby, and underneath a tiny cal-
endar pad. On each page mark in red ink the date of
the meeting. Across the top of the card write or print
the one word ''Remember." A little ribbon loop by
which to hang the calendar completes it.

APPENDIX

program ifMaterial for g)pecial ^rogramg

PRAYERS

1
God Bless the Babies on the Cradle Roll.
Bless Them, and Keep Them Throughout Each Glad Day,
Watch Them in Daylight and Guard Them in Darkness;
May they Grow Gentler and Sweeter Each Day.

2
"Bless All our Cradle Babies,
Wherever They may be ;
Although in Homes so Scattered,

Thou Every One Dost See.
We Love Them, and Thou Lovest Them,

Oh, May They Grow to be
A Band of Little Christians,
Obedient, Lord, to Thee."

3

"Heavenly Father, hear our prayer;
Keep within thy constant care
This dear baby thou hast sent.
To its loving parents lent,
To be taught and trained for you.
May our school its mission do,
Love and pray for, guard it, too."

4

"We bring another baby.

Dear Lord, to thee to-day.
Thou lovest these tiny children,
Caring for them alway.
105

106 Wf)t Cratile ^^oll department

Help us, as older children,
To set them examples good ;

Showing them love and kindness,
As those who know thee should."

5
"God bless and keep the children dear
Upon this Cradle Roll.
May Jesus light their pathway here,
And heaven be their goal."

6

"Heavenly Father, bless this baby,
Guide his tender httle feet.
May we older children help him
To be gentle, kind and sweet."

7
"Heavenly Father, guide and keep
In thy loving care;
These dear babies while they sleep
Here, and everywhere."

8

'Jesus, bless our Cradle Roll babies

Here at home, and across the sea;
Care for them, and their fathers and mothers,
Wherever they may be."

9
"God, our Father, how we thank thee,
When the tiny babes we see;
And we know that as we help them.
We are really helping thee."

10

"Jesus, bless this little baby
We welcome here to-day;
May the angels guard her (his) cradle
Keep her (him) in thy care, we pray."

^Program jHaterial for Special JProgram£f 107

CRADLE ROLL WELCOME VERSES
1

"Another little baby girl (boy)

Whose name we have to-day
We are glad to add to the Cradle Roll

Until she (he) comes to stay.
We'll watch, and care, and pray for her (him)

And hope it will not be long
Until she (he) comes to Sunday school

Then we'll sing for her (him) this song:

"Christ was once a little baby
Just like you and me.
Born in Bethlehem, of Judah,

Far across the sea;
No room for the Httle Jesus
Could be found on earth;
And a stable dark and dreary
Was his place of birth."
(Song from "The Primary and Junior Hymnal.")

2
"In our pretty cradle here
Place the baby's name so dear;
Jesus, ever bless and keep
With thy love, so true and deep."

3

"We have placed dear baby's name

On our Cradle Roll to-day;
May the loving Saviour bless him

All along his earthly way.
And at last when life is over,

In the many mansions fair,
May his name be found forever

In the Father's record there."

4
"Another new baby we welcome to-day,
To him a new name has been given;
We'll give him a place on our dear Cradle Roll
For of such is the kingdom of heaven."

108 tE^fje Crable laoll department

5
"Here's oiu' pretty cradle,
Tied with ribbons gay;
Many names we've laid within it —

More in it we'll lay;
Rock, rock, pretty cradle,
This glad day enrolled

Are names of precious babies

Safe for you to hold."

6

"Little cradle, do you think.

With your pretty bows of pink,

You can faithful be and true

To the name we trust to you?

"As we lay it gently there
We will add this loving prayer
That the little baby face
In our class may find a place."

THE NETV

REF

This book is
tak

' YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ERENGE DEPARTMENT

under no circumstances to be
en from the Building

form 41*

W'